About Lewis & Clark

Lewis & Clark is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization incorporated in 1990 and authorized by Congress in 2000 (P.L. 106-246).  It is a wholesale provider of water to 20 member cities and rural water systems in a 5,000 square miles area (size of Connecticut) in southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.  Groundbreaking was on August 21, 2003, construction began in earnest in 2004, and operations started on July 30, 2012. The last member was connected on October 18, 2024.  Water is being delivered to all 20 members — Beresford, Centerville, Harrisburg, Hull, Lennox, Lincoln County RWS, Lincoln Pipestone RWS, Luverne, Minnehaha Community Water Corp, Parker, Rock County RWD, Rock Rapids, Sheldon, Sioux Center, Sioux Falls, South Lincoln RWS, Tea, Worthington, Madison and Sibley.  Water rates cover 100% of the operations and maintenance expenses.  The source of water is a series of wells that tap into an aquifer adjacent to the Missouri River.  With the purpose of improved quality of life and expanded economic development opportunities, Lewis & Clark represents a unique regional approach to address common problems of water quality and quantity in a more effective and cost-efficient way than each member could do alone.
 
Lewis & Clark will benefit an estimated 350,000 people in the region.  The original capacity was 23.5 million gallons a day (MGD), but after authorization some members reserved additional capacity to expand the System at their cost to 45 MGD, with the ability to expand to 60 MGD in the future.  

Funding for construction is provided through federal, state and local grants.  Federal funding covers 80% of the construction, the three state members provide 10% and the local members also provide 10%. 

A hallmark of Lewis & Clark’s success through the years has been the strong support and leadership of its federal, state and local officials.  Transcending state and party lines, they have worked tirelessly to bring critically needed water to the region.  The success of this one-of-a-kind project is a testament to their cooperative efforts.