ALL ABOUT
Dry Redwater
(DRWA)
The REAL Cost of DRWA
Real Estimated Construction Cost over the next 10 years: (adding up Line 3)
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$1,009,013,646.78
10-Year Build-Out (in 2026 dollars):
$891,957,210.32 (Line 4)
The cost of DRWA — for just a few hookups — is already projected to exceed $1 billion. They've framed the cost in "2026 dollars," but with inflation and interest, the true price will be even higher.
Find these numbers on page 15 of DRWA Predesign Report 2023
How many Hookups for DRWA?
All quotes are from Dry-Redwater Predesign Report 2023
"Every road and highway was “walked” in DRWA’s GIS to locate existing homes that will be served by DRWA. The existing homes were added to a spreadsheet by line number." Pg. 43
"Pasture taps were added to the model for the purposes of this report, but the location is unknown at the feasibility level." Pg. 43
"For inclusion in the 2022 model, Interstate Engineering used 1.5 miles of maximum pipe length to an existing home. For example, if the pipe length was equal to or less than 1.5 miles to an existing home, that home was included in the 2022 model. "Pg. 44
"The 2022 water model is 100% saturated, meaning every existing house that met the 1 ½ miles criteria are added to the water model. "Pg. 44
"DRWA’s 2022 model includes 1,564 rural residential connections (residential meter = 1.0) and 440 pasture taps." Pg.44
"A Good Intention Fee of $100 was paid by interested landowners and public water suppliers to show their commitment to a rural water system. DRWA collected $73,525 to-date." Pg.18
"The Project will supply safe and reliable drinking water to 4,403 rural and municipal connections within DRWA’s service area. The total water main service pipe length is 6,743,843 LF and the total construction cost estimate is $753,640,000. Therefore, the cost per lineal foot is $111.75/LF. The cost per rural and municipal connection is $171,165.12/connection. " Pg 149
By the numbers
By the numbers –
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Every possible rural home added to model
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Unknown number of pasture taps so they added 440
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All towns added to deliver water to storage tank
For this report the number to be served by DRWA s 4,403, and yet they also state
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$73,525 collected in 100$ good intention fees which equals – 735-
Dry-Redwater (DRWA) works with the Montana DNRC and Richland County, the following are screenshots from their website. June 2025
Highlights From Dry-Redwater
Predesign Report 2023
“A Good Intention Fee of $100 was paid by interested landowners and public water suppliers to show their commitment to a rural water system. DRWA collected $73,525 to-date.” Pg. 17,18
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“Phases were established using a combination of cost estimates for each line number, pipeline lengths and quantity of residential users. Phases were organized to capture the bulk of revenue from the project’s bulk users in the first years of the project to cover OM&R costs and provide coverage for construction loans.” Pg.9
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“DRWA was encouraged by DNRC to continue progress on this project knowing that federal authorization would be likely. DNRC recommended to DRWA they use DNRC funding for this Predesign Report. This PDR answers most of the DEC report’s Findings and Recommendations.” Pg. 18
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“There are approximately 1,564 (in 2020) rural homes that will be served by DRWA. The towns of Circle (2020 population 511), Fairview (2020 population 898), Richey (2020 population 167), Lambert (2020 population 84) and Jordan (2020 population 412) will receive water from DRWA. These towns will be responsible for continuing to maintain their municipal water systems and delivering water to their users. DRWA will deliver water to each town’s tank.” Pg. 19
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“The number of pasture taps were determined by multiplying the residential meters by 30%.” Pg.44
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“The 2022 water model is 100% saturated, meaning every existing house that met the 1 ½ miles criteria are added to the water model. The general rule for a rural water model is 80% saturation, i.e., 8 out of 10 homes will connect.” Pg. 44
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“…none of DRWA’s tanks will include additional storage for municipal fire flow requirements.” Pg. 44
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“….aerial photography were used to locate every existing home in DRWA’s service area.” Pg.43
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“The 2022 water model is 100% saturated, meaning every existing house that met the 1 ½ miles criteria are added to the water model. The general rule for a rural water model is 80% saturation, i.e., 8 out of 10 homes will connect. Therefore, the 2022 water model which is 100% saturated is equal to 80% saturation in year 2040 with population increases and new home construction.” Pg. 44
“The Fort Peck Water Treatment Plant will use chloramines for disinfection since they tend to remain active for longer periods and at greater distances from the plant than free chlorine. Chloramines are disinfectants used to treat drinking water. Chloramines are most commonly formed when ammonia is added to chlorine to treat drinking water and they provide longer-lasting disinfection as the water moves through pipes to consumers. This type of disinfection is known as secondary disinfection. EPA requires water utilities to meet strict health standards when using chloramines to treat water. The regulations are based on the average concentration of chloramines found in a water system over time.” Pg. 115
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“Per Circular DEQ 1, chloramine concentrations should be maintained higher than chlorine to avoid nitrifying bacterial activity.” Pg.115
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“A note of caution regarding chloramines is kidney dialysis treatment which can be upset by the use of chloraminated water. Medical authorities, hospitals, and aquarium keepers should be notified of chloramine disinfection if these businesses connect to DRWA so they can take precautions.” Pg. 117
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“DRWA will be requesting a deviation from DEQ-1, Section 8.5.1 for valves to change requirements from ALL high points to needed high points. For this PDR, air/vac valve spacing is every 4 miles.” Pg. 118
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“Advanced Metering Infrastructure Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) provides consistent two-way communication between customers and the utility that gives both parties real-time data. AMI water meters have the capability to send water use data over a communications network.” Pg.118
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“…the meters are read once every 15 minutes for a total of 96 readings every day.” Pg.118
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“Smart meters allow the customer to make resourceful decisions to save money such as managing decisions about service and usage, examples being cost and consumption.” Pg. 118
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“Using AMI smart meters, the utility or customer can go to a network and observe in real time how the water is being used and where, without having to go anywhere.” Pg. 118
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“The Project will supply safe and reliable drinking water to 4,403 rural and municipal connections within DRWA’s service area.” Pg. 149
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“The cost per rural and municipal connection is $171,165.12/connection. The worth of this Project is increased dramatically when factoring in pasture taps and the increase in livestock production which benefits the nation as a whole. Reclamation is performing the economic analysis of the Project during the feasibility study.” Pg. 149
“The Phasing Plan is not only used to plan construction of the Project but also used to lobby the federal, state, and local funding needed ahead of design and construction activities.” Pg.149
“Phases were organized to capture the bulk of revenue from the Project’s bulk users in the first years of the Project to cover OM&R costs and provide coverage for construction loans. After all bulk users are connected, prioritization of the Phases shifted to those rural reaches with the greatest quantity of residential meters through Project completion.” Pg. 150
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“Construction of the Project will take more than 10 years should federal funding not be made available in accordance with the Phase Plan and in a timely matter.” Pg. 152
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“A Notice to Proceed is planned to be issued for the Project in 2026.” Pg. 152
DRWA
Meeting MInutes
February 19, 2025
Highway 200 West: Construction of Highway 200 West will be in two phases. Phase I was sent to Montana DEQ for approval, and the project will be bid out in March, with construction beginning in Spring 2025. Highway 200 West will consist of total 7.2 miles of main, 6.8 miles of distribution, and 2 miles of service line. The extension includes a total of 64 connections.
DNRC: Rick Duncan/DNRC was in attendance. Despite the lack of funding, work is still being completed on the Feasibility Study as DRWA Authorization expires in December 2025.
DNRC and Richland County ARPA funding is contracted and available for draw for construction on Highway 200 West.
The Financial Agreement and associated funds are currently affected by the temporary federal funding freeze with the new Administration. All work must be completed by December of 2025 when DRWA’s Authorization expires.
ARPA Funding Update: ARPA Funds are will be drawn from soon. DNRC and Richland County ARPA Funding will go towards DRWA’s Highway 200 West Extension, which is to begin construction Spring 2025.
Political Update: Mandi and Emilee traveled to Helena the week of January 20th. During the visit, DRWA testified in front of the Long-Range Planning Committee in support of House Bills 6 and 11. DRWA, along with DRWA Lobbyist Rob Cook, is keeping an eye on HB 2, HB 6, HB 8, and HB 11. DRWA also attended MACD’s Legislative Meet and Greet.
At 2:20 pm,
Dick motioned to adjourn the regular meeting and move into Executive Session. Radley seconded; motion carried.
January 14, 2025
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DNRC: Rick Duncan/DNRC was in attendance.
DNRC and Richland County ARPA funding is ready to be drawn for construction on Highway 200 West, with construction beginning Spring 2025.
Bureau of Reclamation: The Financial Agreement funds are expected to be awarded January 31, 2025. All reports must be completed by December of 2025.
December 18, 2024
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Highway 200 West: The Highway 200 West Extension is expected to be ready for Spring 2025 construction. During the December Mount Pleasant Subdivision meeting, the subdivision voted no on connection to DRWA.
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Bureau of Reclamation:. All information has been provided, but BOR has not yet given an award timeline.
Rules and Regulations. Tom motioned the Board accept the changes to DRWA’s Regulations for Rural Users. Jim seconded; motion carried.
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RW-25-092: A grant for construction on Highway 200 W for $3.2 million is almost ready to be executed, pending contract finalization. Mike moved to approve and sign RW-24-092 once the contract is finalized with DNRC. Dick seconded; motion carried.
November 26, 2024
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The Draft EA Technical review’s comments are due in December. The economics highlight two methodologies: Benefit/Cost estimates and estimating project alternative costs. The current Benefit And Cost Ration ranges from 0.5-.95. Montana Clean Water note~ this means according to them- the project will being in $0.50 to $0.95 for ever $1.00 spent)​​​​
​September 25, 2024
Visitors/Public Comments: Charlene Reddig, Constituent Liasson for Steve Daines’ Sidney Office, was in attendance. Charlene spoke with the board about the federal funding process. DRWA’s primary concern at the federal level is currently finalizing the BOR Financial Agreement and receiving funding owed to DRWA
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The Feasibility Study and Economic Analysis are needed before DRWA can request federal construction funding.
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DRWA is allowed to implement an annual 5% rate increase without public comment. This small annual increase could prevent having to have a large increase in the future. Mike motioned to move forward with DRWA’s allowed Annual 5% Rate Increase for 2025. Monte seconded; motion carried.
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​July 17, 2024
The Sidney South Extention was Dry-Redwaters's first extention, and was designed and constructed by Richland County and gifted to DRWA.
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Highway 200 West: Highway 200 West design currently includes 7 miles of transmission, 4.5 miles of distribution, and 2.5 miles of service main. Phase I will have 13 users connecting. Phase II will connect 46 services, 29 of which are in Schmart Estate Subdivision.
DNRC: Rick Duncan/DNRC was in attendance. State of Montana FY 2024 books are being closed up. Two more quarters from 2024 need to be paid out to DRWA, and will be paid out once FY 2025 opens.
Bureau of Reclamation:
The full $5 million appropriated to DRWA for the
Feasibility Study has been requested
DRWA’s upcoming Feasibility Study.
Town Pump Meter: The Sidney South Extension was Dry-Redwater’s first extension, and was designed and constructed by Richland County and gifted to DRWA.
DNRC: Rick Duncan/DNRC was in attendance. DRWA and DNRC are working together on a one-time grant agreement for administrative funding. Tom motioned to approve and sign RW-24-089. Alan Pluhar seconded; motion carried. The RW-24-089 grant totals $70,000, and will be used for DRWA’s new office space​
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Willingness To Pay Survey: DRWA has received around 25% of Willingness to Pay Surveys back. Information is being plugged into spreadsheets to be sent to Stantec’s team for analysis.
April 17, 2024
DNRC: Rick Duncan/DNRC was in attendance. Following technical delays, Administrative Grant funding has been received by Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority for the biennium.
March 13, 2024
Jordan and Mandi will meet with DNRC at Montana Rural Water to discuss project funding.