Lake Agassiz Water Authority - 09.30.2026

The Lake Agassiz Water Authority meeting, held September 30, 2026 (the metadata lists October 1 UTC), focused on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project’s governance, financing, costs, and construction. The board approved a construction-manager-at-risk procurement RFP and authorized the chair to appoint three LAWA directors to a joint selection committee with Garrison Diversion and the state Department of Water Resources. It also approved Task Order 3310 for final design and procurement services for the biota water treatment plant, at a not-to-exceed amount of approximately $16.16 million; the work plan had allocated $18 million. A no-cost change order for pipeline Contract 5D with Karstensen, reallocating funds among line items, was approved. Revisions to the biennial work plan budget were also approved without increasing the overall budget, including an increase in contingency from roughly $25 million to $27 million.

Staff reported a revised project estimate of about $1.71 billion in 2033 dollars, with cost pressures from power supply, treatment facilities, and pipeline work; completing the project in 2033 rather than later was estimated to avoid about $25 million per year in additional costs. The board discussed proposed state cost-sharing changes, with the project expected to be grandfathered at a 75% state share for the main pipeline and related infrastructure, while branch-pipeline users could seek state cost share. Construction updates included $475 million under contract and 43 of 59 contracted miles installed. Staff said a $50 million federal contribution was expected shortly and a further $100 million federal funding agreement appeared to be progressing; Washburn’s FEMA BRIC grant request remained under review. The authority also discussed user outreach, draft user agreements, and possible coordination with Fargo on lobbying services.