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​MISSION:
To provide the highest quality services that meet the needs of and support the collective efforts of our water and wastewater membership.

OUR VISION FOR SOUTH DAKOTA:
A state where all South Dakotans can drink clean, healthy drinking water; where agriculture, business, and industry each have the quality and quantity of water to produce the products South Dakota needs. SDARWS has a vision of a wastewater industry that adequately addresses the public's needs and ensures against environmental hazards and pollution.

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History of SDARWS

Discussions about rural water began in South Dakota in the late 1960s. By 1972, the Butte-Meade Sanitary Water District and Rapid Valley Water Service Company were established, and a number of systems were being organized. Lincoln County Rural Water, south of Sioux Falls, was under construction at the time.

Rural water enthusiasts met in Madison, South Dakota, on October 11, 1972. A decision was made to hold a statewide meeting in Pierre on November 30. A letter of invitation went out to 17 systems. The following systems were represented at the November 30, 1972, meeting at the King’s Inn in Pierre: Aurora-Brule, Big Sioux, Brookings-Deuel, Minnehaha, Rapid Valley, Sioux, TC & G, and Tripp County.

It was unanimously decided to form a “Steering Committee” and name it the “South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.” The purpose of the organization was to monitor legislation, avoid duplication of efforts by sharing problems and solutions, and communicate with state and federal agencies concerning funding and regulations. The Association operated as a Steering Committee until January 1976, when the State of South Dakota granted a nonprofit corporation charter.

SDARWS, Inc., immediately became involved in forming a national organization. In April 1976, South Dakota joined six other states in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to establish the National Rural Water Association. An office was opened in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. South Dakota hosted the second National Rural Water Annual Meeting in Sioux Falls on September 12-13, 1977.

In April 1982, the Association expanded into technical assistance for water systems. On-site water treatment and distribution system expertise could now be offered to many smaller systems. In 1991, with the inclusion of Sanitary Districts, a Wastewater Technician position was added, advancing the association's work to prevent water pollution.

As the Association continued to grow and increase its membership, the Board of Directors expanded the Association to assist systems in western South Dakota by establishing the West River Regional Office in January 1991. The West River Office extended benefits and services to members statewide.

The Association is showing growth and movement toward set goals. SDARWS has grown from 2 to 17 employees and has expanded its membership to include nearly 300 organizations. With continued support from members, the challenges and opportunities of the future can and will be met with enthusiasm and cooperation. In February of 2010, the Association returned to Madison, where it all started at that 1972 meeting, when an office building was purchased as its headquarters. In 2014, a second office/storage space was purchased in Spearfish as a West River headquarters.

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Staff directory

board of directors

Membership

National Rural Water Association Recognition

2025
– Outstanding Achievement in Communications, Publications, & Public Relations
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2023
– Outstanding Achievement in Communications, Publications, & Public Relations

2021
– State Association of the Year

2020
– Outstanding Achievement in Communications, Publications, & Public Relations
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2019
– Outstanding Achievement in Technical Assistance

2018
– Outstanding Achievement in Public Relations

2017
– State Association of the Year

2016
– Outstanding Achievement in Public Relations

​2011
– State Association of the Year
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2010
– Electronic Newsletter Excellence
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2009
– Innovation in Member Services

1999
–  Excellence in Member Services
– Public Relations Leadership Award

1993
– State Association of the Year
– Excellence in Legislative Affairs

1992
– Newsletter of the Year (ServiceLine)

1989
– Newsletter of the Year (ServiceLine)
– Excellence in Legislation