Long-Term Funding Estimates
Many of North Dakota’s largest water projects cannot be completed in one or even two biennia, and therefore, require longer-term planning. In addition, North Dakota, along with most other states, has existing water supply infrastructure that has been aging for decades. This is presenting a greater financial challenge at the local and state level as that infrastructure reaches, or in many cases has already exceeded, its useful life. With multi-biennial projects and aging infrastructure in mind, it is worthwhile to plan now for future biennium commitments that may be needed to develop and sustain critical water infrastructure.
Ten Year Funding Need Estimates
In addition to the detailed project funding needs that have been outlined for the 2023-2025 biennium, longer-term funding needs have also been estimated by DWR for a 10-year planning horizon for all project types. These estimates also provide a projection of potential project budget shortfalls over the next decade, based on multiple revenue ranges.
10-Year Long Term Funding Estimate
Aging Water Supply Infrastructure
During the summer of 2022, a survey was initiated through a cooperative effort involving the North Dakota League of Cities, North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, and the DWR. The purpose of the survey was to update previously collected survey data from 2018 related to North Dakota’s aging water supply infrastructure needs. More specifically, water system managers were asked to provide water supply replacement and rehabilitation information related to their: storage, distribution/supply lines, wells and intakes, water treatment plants, and other water supply infrastructure - over the course of the next 10 and 20-year timeframes. The following charts summarize the data collected from those surveys.
Aging Municipal Water Supply Infrastructure Survey Results - State of ND
Aging Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Survey Results - State of ND