Grassley, Thune, Rounds Applaud as Lewis and Clark Water Expansion Project Advances in Senate

Grassley, Thune, Rounds Applaud as Lewis and Clark Water Expansion Project Advances in Senate

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for advancing bipartisan legislation to authorize a feasibility study for the proposed expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System.

The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act is led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and cosponsored by Grassley. The legislation now heads to the full Senate.

"Access to safe drinking water creates economic opportunity across rural America, including here in Iowa, as well as in South Dakota and Minnesota," said Grassley. "As a longtime advocate for this project, I'm glad to see the Energy and Natural Resources Committee advance this legislation to help unlock an expansion of the system. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and stand with our rural communities."

"The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System continues to achieve meaningful progress toward fully serving its member communities across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota," Thune said. "I'm pleased that the committee has passed our legislation and look forward to its consideration by the full Senate. I thank Senator Rounds for working with me on this important effort."

"Continued access to clean and reliable water is critical to economic development and quality of life in our state," Rounds said. "I'm pleased that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced our legislation that would authorize a feasibility study for an expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. I look forward to working with Senator Thune and my colleagues to get this feasibility study through the Senate and into law."

In addition to Grassley, Thune and Rounds, the bill is cosponsored by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

Text of the legislation can be found HERE.

Background:

Established by law in 2000, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System helps provide rural water access to communities across Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. Impacted communities in Iowa include Rock Rapids, Hull and Sioux Center. Grassley has been a longtime advocate for the system. In 2022, the Grassley-backed infrastructure law helped deliver $75.5 million for the project. In 2024, Grassley attended a ceremony marking Sibley's addition to the system. During his 99 county meetings, Iowans have asked Grassley about the project.

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