Heitkamp: Federal Approval of Rural Water Project is a Needed Step in Improving Access to Clean Drinking Water in NW ND

Long an Advocate for Better Access to Clean Drinking Water, the Senate Recently Unanimously Passed Heitkamp’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Rural Water Supplies

BISMARCK, N.D. – August 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today released the following statement on the decision of the Bureau of Reclamation approving of a treatment method for the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) Project to improve access to clean drinking water in rural areas across northwestern North Dakota.

A vocal advocate for improved access to water supplies in rural areas, Heitkamp has long been pressing for the completion of the studies on the NAWS project. Construction on the project – which is part of the federal government’s longstanding commitment to provide greater access to Lake Sakakawea as a water source – began in 2002 to increase the availability of reliable clean drinking water in northwest North Dakota, including Ward County and the Minot region. The project has been delayed due to legal challenges from the state of Missouri and the Province of Manitoba.

Just two months ago, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Heitkamp’s bipartisan legislation to make sure small towns and rural areas have the technical assistance and training they need to help protect and improve their water supplies.

“After several years and study after study, rural communities across the northwestern part of our state are a step closer to getting improved access to clean drinking water that they deserve,” said Heitkamp. “Providing each town across North Dakota with reliable sources of clean drinking water is a core part of keeping our statewide community connected – that’s why I’ve been calling for years for the strongest plan to do that across the state. After years of delay, today’s federal approval, which I’ve been pressing for, will make sure we can continue moving forward with this project.”

Heitkamp has long worked to foster relationships encouraging increased resources and assistance for rural areas.In November, Heitkamp met with Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Acting Administrator Jasper Schneider to discuss the need for targeted investments, like water infrastructure, in rural communities across the nation. On the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Heitkamp serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy – which oversees RUS.

The 2014 Farm Bill, which Heitkamp played a leading role in crafting, places a strong emphasis on supporting rural development projects. The bill authorizes programs that help upgrade and improve rural water systems, invest in expanding rural high-speed Internet, provide loans to consumers to improve energy efficiency through the new Rural Energy Savings Program, and reauthorize several other existing programs that are critical to supporting economic and community development in rural America.