
Ctiy hardhat used by the wastewater treatment facility workers. (Photo by Kyle G. Horst, Watertown Current)

Wastewater Facilities Project Manager Michael Johnson. (Photo by Kyle G. Horst, Watertown Current)
Originally constructed in the 1930s, the Watertown Wastewater Treatment Facility has received numerous upgrades and expansions over the decades—but on Oct. 1, city staff, engineers, and Rice Lake Construction Company broke ground on a $62 million capital improvement project (CIP) to add capacity to the existing facility and modernize it by adding new infrastructure which in turn will add 20-30 years of life expectancy.
According to Wade Leonard, President of Rice Lake Construction, the company worked extensively with the city over the last three years to nail down exactly what the city needed and at a price they could afford. The project, which is already staging materials and equipment at the waterworks, will begin immediately; it is slated to finish in late 2027 or early 2028.
Watertown residents should see no impact to their wastewater services; the existing facility will continue to operate as normal during the construction project.
As stated earlier, the wastewater plant was originally constructed in the 1930s, likely with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds from the depression-era New Deal program. The facility received it last major update in 1997, with a smaller headworks project being completed in 2003. The planning for this new facility began in 2018 in city council and municipal utilities board discussions; after being approved, design planning and engineering began in 2021 and was finished during the summer of 2024.

Alderman Bruce Buhler made comments to the small crowd about some notable aspects of the forthcoming project. (Photo by Kyle G. Horst, Watertown Current)
Funding for the project comes from multiple sources:
- $3.7 million from the pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
- $8.5 million grant from the State of South Dakota
- $45 million from the South Dakota Revolving Fund
- $3.7 million in matching city funds
Alderman Randy Tupper was onsite for the groundbreaking and told the Current, “A lot of planning went into this endeavor—years in fact—and this is going to set the city up for the next 30-40 years. It’s also important to note that a portion of this was paid for through usage fees built into utility bills.”
“A value like this project to the community is intangible,” City Manager Amanda Mack said. “The end product of this project is very important as the city grows. This is another feather Watertown’s hat of amenities. This project took leadership from an elected body with the foresight and willingness to invest in the city.”
Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director Heath VonEye said it is obvious that a water treatment plant is something that no city can do without.
“The wastewater workers are the unsung heroes of the city,” VonEye said. “This is an investment that we made today that will truly serve the community for decades to come.”
By the numbers, the project will use:
- 29,000 cubic yards of cement (or 4,000 tons)
- 5,900 liner feet of new pipe
- 240 tons of concrete-reinforcing steel rebar
This is the most expensive capital improvement project in city history at $62 million. It tops the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena’s cost of $36.5 million.

From left, Assistant City Manager Heath VonEye, Alderman Dan Schutte, Alderman Bruce Buhler, Alderman Randy Tupper, City Manager Amanda Mack. (Photo by Kyle G. Horst, Watertown Current)