Our History

In February 1975, DGR presented a report that divided the project into four construction phases.  Construction for Phase I and Phase II began in 1977.  Phases III and IV would later be combined with construction beginning in 1979.  Kingbrook became a vast network of pipelines, meters, ground storage reservoirs, filtration plants, and supply wells.  Additional members joined the system during the planning and construction stages, with the total number of connections approaching 2,200 by the time construction was completed in 1981. The entire construction project totaled $12.4 million and was funded as follows:

$2,870,000    FmHA grant
$300,000       State of SD grant
$8,700,000    FmHA loan
$530,000       Member contributions

The system originally served an area of about 2,000 square miles, from Montrose north to Hayti and from Bruce west to Manchester.

GROWTH IN THE ‘90’s

With increasing demand from our current users and growing interest from many rural South Dakotans seeking a source of safe drinking water free of nitrates and other harmful chemicals, Kingbrook’s Board of Directors recognized the need to improve and expand the system.

Subproject 1
In early 1990, capacity improvements to the DeSmet Water Treatment Plant and the drilling of a new well in the well field north of DeSmet were completed.  Other improvements included the construction of a booster station and standpipe in the Ramona area.  Approximately 125 new users and 50 miles of distribution lines were also added to the System.

Subproject 2
Completed in 1991, this project involved drilling two new wells north of DeSmet and constructing storage tanks at the DeSmet Water Treatment Plant. Also included in Subproject 2 was the installation of distribution pipelines to approximately 135 new services. A water tower north of Howard was erected to increase storage capacity in that area and bring the requested bulk water service to the City of Howard.

Subproject 3
Still trying to meet the increasing number of requests for water service, 1993 saw the installation of distribution pipelines for approximately 185 new users.  Improvements were also made at the Bruce Water Treatment Plant north of Bruce.  One new well was drilled north of the Chester Water Treatment Plant, and a water tower was constructed north of Montrose.

Well Field/Treatment Plant Improvement
In 1995, the south end of the System had outgrown its treatment capacity, and it became necessary to upgrade the treatment filters at the Chester Water Treatment Plant.  In the north end of the System, wells seven and eight were drilled in the DeSmet well field to increase pumping capacity.

Bulk Water Service to Area Towns
In the '90s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established more stringent water testing requirements, resulting in increased operational costs for local municipalities.  Officials in area cities looked for ways to reduce costs and enhance the quality of the water for city residents.  Kingbrook offered a solution to these problems, and several cities viewed rural water service as the answer.  The Cities of Howard, Montrose, Lake Preston, Arlington, Winfred, and Iroquois became bulk water users in 1991, 1993, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, respectively.

Bruce WTP Improvements & New Member Additions
In 1997, over 6,000 sign-up brochures were mailed out.  As a result, over 150 applications for service were returned.  By the time the project was completed in 1999, over 170 services were connected. Included in the project on an emergency basis was additional water storage at the Bruce water treatment plant.  A 1.1-million-gallon storage tank was completed in the summer of 1998 to meet potentially high-water demand in the Bruce area.

GROWTH IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

City of Carthage Project
To meet future water demands and water quality standards, city officials in Carthage opted to join Kingbrook and have high-quality water delivered directly to the city.  In December 2000, meter installation was completed, and residents of Carthage began using Kingbrook water.  This was Kingbrook’s first venture at leasing a water distribution system from a small town.

Fedora/Osceola Area Project
In the fall of 2002, construction was completed for 144 new users in the Fedora/Osceola area.  This project provided the best opportunity for water users in these remote areas to receive the same quality water service that had been available to their neighbors for 20 years.  This project included the installation of an additional 52 system-wide users. One of these was a large dairy operation whose owners came from Holland.  This marked the beginning of increased demand for livestock and the need for future improvements.

Badger Reservoir Storage Project
The turn of the century brought dry conditions and increased water demands from livestock operations and area lake developments.  In response to this demand, a 350,000-gallon storage tank was constructed at the Badger Reservoir in 2003 as a coordinated solution to the supply problem.

Well Field Land Acquisitions
Dry conditions also affected the south end of our system.  Daily gallons pumped and treated from the Chester Water Treatment plant reached all-time highs in 2002 and 2003.    Existing wells were unable to meet demand; therefore, a combined 294 acres near the current well field were purchased from two area landowners.  In 2003, well 4 was drilled and put into production.  In 2005, wells 5 and 6 were drilled, with the remaining piping and electrical work completed for production in 2006.  The purchase of this land will serve our water supply needs now and in the years to come.

2004 Pipeline & Distribution Improvements
To meet expected future demands and correct existing pressure and supply deficiencies in the system, Kingbrook implemented the first phase of its proposed long-range plan by constructing 22 miles of pipeline ranging in size from 8-inch to 12-inch.  The added pipeline improved service reliability to existing users and added capacity for future connections, including additional dairies and lake development.  Financing for this project was provided through the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources’ State Revolving Fund (SRF).

2005 New Member Additions Project
In the spring of 2004, Kingbrook announced and advertised locally for new signups.  The response exceeded the anticipated 100-125 new signups, and the project grew to over 210 new connections and approximately 185 miles of pipeline.  The continued lack of rainfall in our service area has increased livestock demand for high-quality water, bringing our total pasture tap accounts to over 350.  Additionally, this project gave residents east and north of Lake Campbell, and those east of the Big Sioux River, an opportunity to have a reliable, high-quality water source.  At the completion of the project in the fall of 2006, Kingbrook’s active consumers numbered over 4,000 accounts.  Again, funding for this project was from DENR’s SRF loan program.

2006 Water System Improvement
As a part of our long-range plan, funding through the SRF loan program was approved, and bids were let in October of 2006 to construct three new water storage reservoirs. These improvements addressed an existing water supply shortage in the west-central area of the water system, where overall growth has increased water demand. This need for more water became more prevalent as large dairy farms and ethanol processing plants became a part of the South Dakota landscape.  This project added storage to the existing Junius and Lake Preston reservoir sites and to the existing Chester Water Treatment Plant.  This project was completed in July 2007.  Phase two of this project included approximately 12 miles of new 12-inch pipeline, constructed west of the Chester Water Treatment Plant, extending from just north of the Orland Reservoir to an area southeast of the Junius Reservoir.    This new pipeline provides added capacity at Junius and Orland to meet existing water demands at those stations.  This project was completed in November 2008.

City of Winfred Project

Since 1995, Winfred’s sole source of water has been through a bulk purchase from Kingbrook Rural Water.  In 2003, the Winfred Water District was approved for a Small Community Planning Grant to identify system improvements, including the possibility of Kingbrook Rural Water providing individual service to our town residents.  Then, in April of 2005, Kingbrook began providing operations support for the City of Winfred due to the city's challenges in retaining a qualified, licensed utility operator. A water system source and distribution study was also completed. The City then decided to have Kingbrook provide complete water service to its residents through individual metered connections. In 2008, Kingbrook was awarded a $50,000.00 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Grant (CWFCG) by the Board of Natural Resources. The project included replacing portions of the in-town distribution pipeline and installing meter pits for 34 users.

2010-2011 System-Wide Expansion
In late 2008, Kingbrook began taking applications for new signups.  These new services were part of a project to construct pipelines and other facilities to enhance the reliability of the existing water system and to add capacity to meet current and future water demands.  Approximately 22 miles of 12-inch main pipeline were installed along with an additional 150 miles of rural distribution pipeline providing water service to approximately 200 new customers within the present service area.   Construction of a new one-million-gallon elevated tank replacing the Ramona Standpipe was included in this 8.3-million-dollar project financed by Rural Development ARRA funds. This funding package included a $4,991,000 loan and a $2,999,000 grant. In addition, we were awarded a $100,000 State Consolidated Grant.  Construction for this project began in May 2011 and was completed in July 2012.

Well Field Land Acquisition
In early 2011, Kingbrook was offered an opportunity to purchase two quarters of land just north of the existing Chester Water Treatment Plant and Well Field. Purchase price for the 309 acres was $1,103,750.  Kingbrook made a $300,000 down payment and financed the remaining $793,750 with CoBank. This land, situated in our existing aquifer, will ensure Kingbrook has a viable groundwater source in this area for years to come.

Then, in early 2012, and as part of a continuing wellhead protection program, Kingbrook and Brookings-Deuel Rural Water expanded their well field at the Joint-Wellfield treatment plant north of Bruce by purchasing 151.5 acres of land.  The acquisition increased the total well field to 400 acres and added a layer of protection against potential contamination.

City of Sinai Connection
Since 2010, Kingbrook has provided temporary operations support for the City of Sinai because the City was unable to find qualified personnel to operate its system.  In October 2012, a water system source and distribution study was completed, and a Small Community Planning Grant was awarded, allowing the City to abandon its existing facilities and become an individual member of Kingbrook. This project included five miles of rural pipeline, installation of a new mainline in the City, and 70 individual connections. Funding for this project included a $540,000 Drinking Water SRF Loan, a $750,000 State Consolidated Grant, and a $279,000 cash contribution from Kingbrook.  The in-town portion of this project was completed in April 2015.  The installation of the rural pipeline portion of this project was completed in 2016.

2017-2018 New User Project
In 2014, during their annual Strategic Planning meeting, Kingbrook's Directors decided to proceed with a system-wide added user project based on recommendations from their engineer and in response to continued growth within their boundaries.  Upon completion of this project in the fall of 2019, Kingbrook added 20 miles of 12- to 16-inch-diameter mainline, 165 miles of rural distribution pipeline, provided water service to 260 new customers, and constructed a new 600,000-gallon storage tank.  The large pipe installation on this project completed Kingbrook’s long-range plan to pump water from the Bruce Water Treatment Plant all the way to the Lake Preston Reservoir and therefore reduced the demand at the DeSmet Water Treatment Plant. The $12.8 million project was funded with a 40-year $10.8 million low-interest loan, a $1.387 million grant from USDA Rural Development, and $575,000 of local matching funds.

City of Oldham Project
Since 1988, Oldham’s sole source of water has been through a bulk purchase from Kingbrook Rural Water. Then, in April of 2017, Kingbrook began providing operations support for the City of Oldham due to challenges the City faced in retaining a qualified, licensed utility operator. A water system source and distribution study was also completed. The City then decided to have Kingbrook provide complete water service to its residents through individual metered connections, and in June of 2019, Kingbrook was awarded funding from the Board of Natural Resources in the form of a $1,645,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, with up to $1,249,000 of principal forgiveness. The loan term is 2.25% interest for 30 years.  The total project included approximately 100 individual service connections, replacement of the entire in-town distribution pipeline, and improvements to the water tower.

City of Nunda Project
Several times since the early 2000’s, Nunda had expressed interest in a service connection to Kingbrook. Finally, in 2021, individual service connections to residents in Nunda became a reality. In 2020, an engineering study was done, and members of the Nunda city council agreed it was time to get out of the water business. Kingbrook was awarded funding from the Board of Natural Resources in the form of a $836,500 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with up to $747,000 of principal forgiveness to Kingbrook. The loan term is 1.625% interest for 30 years. The total project included approximately 30 individual service connections, the replacement of the entire in-town distribution, and improvements to Kingbrook’s Sinai Booster Station.

2022-2026 System Improvements Project
In late 2021, Kingbrook Rural Water’s engineers conducted a review of its water sources, treatment, and system storage and prepared a facility plan. The facility plan proposed several improvements across KBRW’s 12-county service area. Kingbrook Rural Water has several existing facilities that, at current demands, operate beyond their firm capacity. These include Badger Reservoir, DeSmet Water Treatment Plant, Chester Water Treatment Plant, Oakwood Booster, and Orland Reservoir. Along with improvements to existing facilities, Kingbrook anticipated the need for new facilities to service increased demand from existing customers. The proposed facilities include a 1,500,000-gallon elevated tank near Arlington, a booster pump station near Bryant, relocation and resizing of pipeline segments along Highway 25 north of DeSmet, and the addition of four new wells at the DeSmet Well Field. Kingbrook was awarded funding from the Board of Water and Natural Resources in the form of a $22,850,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan and $14,872,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Grants. The loan term is 2.125% for 30 years. Construction of the projects on the list began in 2022 and was completed in 2026.

Carthage Tower Improvements
The Town of Carthage leases its existing water facilities, including the water tower, to Kingbrook Rural Water under an agreement providing potable water services to its residents. KBRW operates, maintains, and repairs the leased facilities under the agreement. The water tower was last coated (interior and exterior) in 2011. The water tower was cleaned and inspected in 2008 and 2014. The 2014 inspection found lead-based material in the exterior coating, which was in poor condition. The report recommended exterior blasting and re-coating. In 2019, KBRW repaired the riser pipe on the tower and had it inspected. The inspection report stated that the interior and exterior coatings on the water tower were in poor condition and that the corrugated steel roof needed replacement. KBRW proposed rehabilitating the water tower to address the identified problems. Kingbrook was awarded funding from the Board of Water and Natural Resources in the form of a $360,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan and a $108,000 American Rescue Plan Act Grant. The loan term is 1.625% for 30 years. The rehabilitation project was completed in 2024.

2024 Pipeline Improvements Project

The Manchester service area includes service to the residents of Manchester, Iroquois, Bancroft, and Osceola, as well as the surrounding rural areas. Significant growth in livestock operations, colonies, and dairies has used up the existing pipeline capacity. Therefore, additional pipeline capacity is needed to serve the growing demands of these areas. The project consisted of installing 8 miles of 12” mainline piping and 8 miles of 16” mainline piping from the Desmet Water Treatment Plant, west and south to Highway 14. Kingbrook was awarded funding from the Board of Water and Natural Resources in the form of a $14,500,000 Drinking Water SRF Loan. The loan term is 3.50% for 30 years. The project was bid in 2025 and will be completed in 2026.