National, state and local officials came together Tuesday to celebrate Sioux Center and Hull’s connection to the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, an accomplishment more than 30 years in the making.
"People don't understand how many solutions had to occur to make this happen. Three hundred and thirty-seven miles of pipeline to cover to have water coming out of the Missouri River aquifer," said U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra. "Today I applaud these efforts."
Lewis & Clark water is drawn from an aquifer adjacent to the Missouri River and treated near Vermillion, S.D., traveling 83 miles from the source to Sioux Center. Sioux Center Municipal Utilities blends this high-quality water with supply from local aquifers to deliver to customers, providing for Sioux Center Municipal Utilities customers’ water needs today and for future growth.
“Difficult challenges are best solved with cooperating with one another, and this project is that example,” Sioux Center Mayor David Krahling said. “To every individual who has been part of leading this in any way, thank you for the legacy of showing us how to solve tough problems and how to work together with patience and perseverance.”
Sioux Center and Hull are the 16th and 17th of Lewis & Clark’s 20 member communities and water systems to receive water. The Lewis & Clark meter building in Sioux Center was dedicated in honor of Murray Hulstein, Sioux Center Utilities Manager and Chairman of the Lewis & Clark board.
“Over the past 30-plus years, Murray has poured his heart and soul into turning the dream of Lewis & Clark into a reality, not only to benefit his community, but to benefit the entire tri-state region,” said Scott Hain, Lewis & Clark Vice Chairman, of Worthington, MN. “When the history of Lewis & Clark is written and future generations talk about the giants on whose shoulders we stand, there is no doubt Murray is one of those giants.”
The Sioux Center Water Department provides quality water to more than 2,600 customers, drawn from local aquifers and the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, treated to exceed all federal and state standards.