PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Department of Ag and Natural Resources has awarded about one point one billion dollars in grants and loans for water and wastewater projects across the state.

Department Secretary Hunter Roberts says it will put pressure on local governments and contractors to get all the projects underway.

Roberts says they will continue their normal revolving loan funding at the same time.

Roberts says the state and federal funding will take some time to spend.

The legislature authorized spending the federal funds on long term, “generational” type projects.