Tester secures additional funding for Montana tribal water systems

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today secured additional funding for the Dry Prairie Water System in Fort Peck and the North Central Montana Regional Water System in Rocky Boy’s.

Dry Prairie Water System in Fort Peck will receive an additional $6.6 million and the North Central Montana Regional Water System in Rocky Boy’s will receive $6.8 million from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR).

“There is no need more critical to the health of our communities than access to safe, reliable drinking water,” said Tester, Vice Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “These vital investments in our water infrastructure will improve wellness, boost economic development, and put more folks to work.”

Tester, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, already secured $3.2 million for the Dry Prairie Water System in Fort Peck and $4 million for North Central Montana Regional Water System in Rocky Boy’s for fiscal year 2015. The additional funds came from BOR’s rural water account.

The Bureau of Reclamation provides local water systems additional funding to construct new water infrastructure and improve water quality for communities in western states.