Rock County, Minnesota –- Another member water provider has been connected to the Lewis & Clark water system that is eventually supposed to provide water to Hull, Sheldon, Sibley and Sioux Center, as well as two more systems in Minnesota and one in South Dakota.
With a meter building on the Minnesota – Iowa border reaching substantial completion on Thursday, May 28th, the Rock County Rural Water District (RCRWD) began receiving water from the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System (L&C), becoming the twelfth member connected to L&C. Eight members remain.
RCRWD, which is overseen by the Rock County Commission, has reserved 300,000 gallons a day. However, it will only access half its capacity at this connection, with the other half at their future second connection at Magnolia.
RCRWD Manager Brent Hoffmann said “Many of our long-time directors and customers wondered if this day would ever come. We have faced many hurdles in maintaining consistent water flow and quality. Drought in 2013 and then record flooding in June of 2014, as well as ever-tightening federal and state restrictions on developing additional water sources, only highlight the importance of having interconnections with other water providers. The days of
going it alone are a thing of the past. Being connected to Lewis & Clark is a huge boost.”
Chairman Red Arndt of Luverne said, “Congratulations to the Rock County Commission and Rock County Rural Water District on this long awaited day! Having access to Lewis & Clark water will open many opportunities for the system and its customers. We couldn’t be happier for them.”
In addition to Luverne, which is anticipated to be connected this coming December, the other non-connected members include: The Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System and Worthington in Minnesota; The cities of Hull, Sheldon, Sibley and Sioux Center; and Madison, South Dakota.
Meanwhile, The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System’s Board of Directors has awarded a $1,036,000 contract to Robert L Carr Construction of Marshall, MN to construct meter buildings at Luverne and Magnolia in southwest Minnesota. This December is the substantial completion deadline, at which time Luverne will begin receiving Lewis & Clark water. Lewis & Clark officials say the Magnolia meter building will eventually provide connections for the Rock County Rural Water District and the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System, however, the contract for construction of the pipeline between Luverne and Magnolia will not be awarded until this fall.
