Senate committee hears bill to create wastewater grant program, sponsors, DEQ and cities outline need

House Bill 1577, which would create a wastewater infrastructure grant program to be administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, was the subject of testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Representative Alisa Mitskog, the bill sponsor, told the committee “House Bill 1577 proposes to provide a wastewater grant program to be administered through the Department of Environmental Quality.”

The bill as amended directs $25 million from the State Infrastructure Fund (SIF) to the program, down from an original $50 million request. Under the bill’s proposed structure grants would cover up to 60 percent of eligible project costs, with a 40 percent local match. The sponsor and witnesses said the request is intended as a first step to address long-standing gaps in wastewater funding across North Dakota.

Why it matters: Witnesses said wastewater projects have lagged behind drinking-water spending and that many small communities lack the capacity to carry large project costs. Diane Eamonts, executive director of the North Dakota Public Finance…