Minot Water Delay Pushed Back to 2027-28
Defective underdrain filters at the Max biota treatment plant have extended the wait for Lake Sakakawea water in Minot.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Underdrain filters installed at the biota treatment plant by the original contractor were found defective in fall 2025, and replacements failed again when tested in June 2026. The most recent schedule estimates NAWS water delivery will run from August 2027 to January 2028.
Why it matters
The delay extends a costly wait for Minot residents depending on the Northwest Area Water Supply project for reliable water. Minot's financial commitment to the project already totals nearly $128 million.
Minot's local share of remaining NAWS costs is projected at 35%, which would total just over $47 million, though extra federal and state contributions could lower it to about $33 million. The final cost split depends on how those outside contributions are secured.
The players
Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS)
The NAWS project is the regional water system that will deliver treated water from Lake Sakakawea to Minot and surrounding communities.
State Water Commission
The State Water Commission is North Dakota's state body that oversees water resource development and required the contractor to find a new underdrain supplier.
The details
The original contractor installed defective underdrain filters at the biota treatment plant near Max, and an independent contractor removed and replaced them before they failed again in June 2026. The State Water Commission has required the contractor to find a different underdrain supplier, and a new alternate contractor has been selected.
Timeline
Fall 2025: defective underdrain filters discovered at the biota plant.
June 2026: replaced underdrains failed initial testing; NAWS water had been planned to arrive.
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: delay information presented to the Minot City Council.
Midsummer 2027: permanent lake water intake expected to be completed.
August 2027 to January 2028: estimated window for biota plant repair work.
Legal Context
Minot's wait for water is tied to the NAWS project, a multi-stage federal-state system in which local cities carry a share of costs. The delay adds to the project's schedule slippage and raises the stakes for how the remaining local share is financed.
Minot households face the prospect of a local cost share of up to $47 million for the water project, which could affect city budgets and utility rates. Residents relying on the existing water supply will continue waiting for reliable Lake Sakakawea water into 2028.
The takeaway
Long-running infrastructure projects can carry costs that outlast their original schedules, making close tracking of local funding commitments worthwhile for residents. Watching the State Water Commission's updates will show whether the 2027-28 timeline holds.
What happens next
The replacement contractor is expected to begin biota plant repair work, with the estimated window running from August 2027 to January 2028.
Further reading
Explore related coverage in the Financial Aid section for ways local cost burdens are being addressed.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Minot Daily News.
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