Six North Dakota communities have just secured low-interest State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to repair aging water and sewer systems — a move that puts pressure on Bismarck’s leadership to evaluate its own infrastructure needs.
The SRF program, jointly overseen by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and the Public Finance Authority, offers below-market interest loans (currently ~2%) for eligible water and wastewater projects.
In this latest round:
Dickinson scored two $1 million loans (clean + drinking water) for pipe replacement, sewer rehab, and storm drains.
Lisbon garnered ~$9.9 million (CWSRF) + $1.3 million (DWSRF) for widespread main, street, and sewer upgrades.
Bowman received $4 million for sanitary sewer improvements.
Valley City got $600,000 to replace clay tile sewer mains during road work.
These communities are relatively small compared to Bismarck — but their eligibility and success send a signal: the SRF money is flowing to local municipalities willing to apply.
Why Bismarck Should Care
Bismarck’s utilities system has grown incrementally over decades; certain neighborhoods still run on older pipe infrastructure.
As other towns leverage SRF dollars to reduce leaks, overflow, and failures, Bismarck may fall behind unless it plans strategically.
City engineers and the Bismarck Public Works Department should now assess stormwater sewers, sanitary lines, and main pipes for vulnerability.
There’s political capital in being proactive: securing SRF funding could allow the city to spread out cost burdens over decades at favorable rates.
One Bismarck neighborhood association leader, who preferred anonymity, told us:
"If we lose water service in the cold months because of a break in 1950s pipe, that’s a PR nightmare. It would be great if the city mapped which parts of old neighborhoods have systemic issues.”
