YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Flush with federal funding, the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System is ready to start construction on several major projects this year.

Executive Director Troy Larson says they are hoping to get ahead of rapidly rising prices.

Larson says they will get an idea of how much they can get done when the bids are opened next month.

Major projects include pipelines toward Madison and into Iowa and upgrades at their water treatment plant.

The system pipes water to towns and cities in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota from wells near the Missouri River south of Vermillion.