To protect and preserve South Dakota's agriculture, environment, and natural resources through effective regulatory services, natural resource conservation, and financial and technical assistance.
The grant program provides financial assistance for drinking water projects, which must be included in the State Water Plan to be eligible for funding. The Department accepts applications on a quarterly basis for projects and amendments to the State Water Facilities Plan. Funding comes from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program and the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, primarily as low-interest loans. Additionally, the Very Small System Compliance Grant targets water systems with 50 or fewer connections or not-for-profit, non-transient non-community water systems. This grant helps systems in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act to achieve compliance, with applications accepted year-round.