PIERRE, S.D.(The Dakota Scout)- Dozens of communities across South Dakota are getting a share of nearly $175 million worth of help from the state and federal government to advance some big ticket public infrastructure projects.

All four corners of the state and towns, water districts and cities everywhere in between have been awarded grants and loans through the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), which on Thursday announced tens of millions in funding to help with sewer, water and conservation projects.

Of the $175 million in awards announced by the agency Thursday, more than $105 million is coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and has been marked for drinking water and wastewater system improvements. That’s the last of the state’s ARPA funding.

DANR also announced another $64.7 million in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste projects, and $5 million for its reiperian buffer strip program, which incentivizes landowners to maintain vegetation along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other waterbodies.

WEB Water Development Association received an additional $10,500,000 ARPA grant. The funding is part of a much larger project to increase water capacity for WEB and to provide a bulk water connection for Aberdeen and BDM Rural Water. The project is known as the Water Investment in Northern South Dakota or WINS project, undertaken by all three entities with WEB acting as the lead contracting entity at this time. Previous funding was awarded in June 2023.

Britton received a $733,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for a wastewater lift station and sewer improvements. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Ipswich received a $390,100 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $100,000 in principal forgiveness to construct a storm sewer system to help alleviate stormwater conveyance issues throughout the city. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

To check out where all the ARPA funds are going visit www.dakotascout.com.