Dear Rural Water Members,

As many of you have heard, the federal government shutdown has caused USDA Rural Development to issue a Stop-Work Order for the national Circuit Rider Program effective November 1, 2025.

While this order temporarily suspends the federally funded portion of the Circuit Rider Program, the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) remains committed to maintaining service and technical assistance to our member systems.

We are fortunate to have an active Disaster Recovery Circuit Rider Program (DRCR), funded through January 2026, that allows us to continue providing essential on-site and emergency support. We are also evaluating internal and other funding sources to ensure that services continue if this work stoppage extends beyond the DRCR program’s funding period.

Please note:

• Services provided during this period are being funded solely through non-federal sources and do not represent activities of the USDA Circuit Rider Program.
• You may continue to contact your Circuit Rider as usual for assistance with system emergencies, troubleshooting, or operational support.

We will notify you immediately when USDA federal funding is reinstated and the regular Circuit Rider Program resumes full operation.

Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support of SDARWS and the Rural Water mission.

Sincerely,
​
Jeremiah Corbin
Executive Director
South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems

The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) has been recognized nationally for its outstanding communications efforts. On September 16th, at the WaterPro Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) presented SDARWS with the prestigious “Outstanding Achievement in Communications, Publications, and Public Relations” award.

This honor highlights SDARWS’s commitment to elevating awareness of rural water and educating the public on the vital role water systems play in communities across South Dakota. 2025 marks the fifth time since 2016 that SDARWS has taken home this particular honor.

“This award is a reflection of the creativity, dedication, and innovation our team brings to telling the story of rural water,” said SDARWS Executive Director Jeremiah Corbin. “We’re proud to be recognized nationally for our efforts to engage members, inspire future leaders, and advocate for the essential services that keep our communities thriving.”

A key highlight of SDARWS’s communications in the past year was the creation of the South Dakota Rural Water Hall of Fame, launched to honor industry trailblazers whose leadership and service laid the foundation for today’s water systems. The Hall of Fame includes a permanent installation at the SDARWS office and an online archive, preserving the history, innovations, and personal stories of inductees while inspiring future generations of water professionals.

Additionally, SDARWS’s comprehensive communications strategy encompasses multiple platforms and diverse audiences. Efforts include:

• Print and digital publications – including a bi-monthly industry magazine, consumer-facing newsletters reaching tens of thousands of households, and a digital news bulletin.
• Events and education – children’s water festivals, community events, and targeted educational materials.
• Multimedia outreach – video, photography, design, and in-depth storytelling produced in-house by SDARWS’s communications specialist.
• Member resources – supporting utilities with information, advocacy, and connections to NRWA Affinity Programs.

Through these initiatives, SDARWS ensures that rural water not only meets today’s needs but also continues to build a legacy of leadership and service for the future.

For more information about SDARWS and its programs, visit www.sdarws.com.

SUSTAINABILITY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES 
Small and rural communities rely on access to affordable loan and grant opportunities through USDA Rural Development to make repairs, upgrades, and to build new critical infrastructure for their communities. 
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While affordable financing is a vital component for these communities, it is not the complete solution. After these projects are completed, the need for training for water and wastewater operators does not go away. Technical assistance ensures the government’s and public’s investment is secured. For small and rural communities to remain sustainable, they need ongoing training and technical assistance. 

​LAST YEAR, CIRCUIT RIDERS HELPED TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF 30,721,691 PEOPLE - 42% OF RURAL AMERICA.

Technical assistance for small and rural communities includes providing training, energy audits, certification, financial management, environmental compliance, governance, and on-site technical assistance necessary to ensure that water and wastewater facilities operate at the highest possible level. Through the grants provided through USDA WEP, these services are provided at no cost through technical assistance providers like NRWA and its State Affiliates. The loss of funding for this essential technical assistance will jeopardize the sustainability of rural water systems and their communities. System managers will be forced to choose between not addressing ongoing operational and management issues or contracting for these services at steep costs. 

Today’s Congressional policies and funding decisions are jeopardizing the sustainability of every community in rural America. Budget cuts will leave USDA WEP unable to accomplish its mission. WEP is instrumental in helping rural America ensure their communities are sustainable now and into the future. 

The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) is delighted to announce Jeremiah Corbin as its new Executive Director, succeeding Kurt Pfeifle who retired in April. Jeremiah assumes the role after a distinguished tenure at SDARWS, where he has served since 2009.

Corbin joined SDARWS as a Source Water Protection Specialist, demonstrating a deep commitment to safeguarding South Dakota's water resources. His dedication and expertise propelled him to the position of Field Program Supervisor in 2021, where he continued to excel in advancing the organization's mission.

"With over a decade of invaluable service to SDARWS, Jeremiah embodies our core values and has consistently shown exceptional leadership," Lloyd Poppens, SDARWS President "His comprehensive understanding of rural water systems and unwavering dedication make him the ideal choice to lead SDARWS into its next chapter."

Corbin expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am honored to step into the position of Executive Director at SDARWS. Building on the foundation laid by Kurt Pfeifle and our dedicated team, I look forward to continuing our efforts to provide sustainable water solutions and support to our members across South Dakota."
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Under Corbin's leadership, SDARWS remains committed to its mission of ensuring safe, reliable water services for rural communities throughout South Dakota. His appointment marks a new era of innovation and growth for the organization.

​Over 75 South Dakotans traveled to Aurora, Colorado, for the National Rural Water WaterPro Conference held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. It was an exciting week for South Dakota, starting with the association taking home the Outstanding Achievement in Communications, Publications, and Public Relations for the fourth time in seven years!
 
The SDARWS team was drawn to participate in the Rural Water Feud. After beating The SDARWS team of Jeremiah Corbin, Kurt Pfeifle, Jennifer Bame, Paul Dorwart, and Gavin Graverson beat Minnesota Rural Water and won the Feud at the Membership Appreciation Luncheon – bringing home a $5,000 credit at USA BlueBook. Jeremiah Corbin and Jennifer Bame participated in the “fast money” portion of the ‘Feud’ contest. SDARWS once again beat the odds and added another $2,500 to the USA BlueBook credit, for a total of $7,500!
 
Two SDARWS staff, Paul Dorwart and Kevin Christenson, had photos entered in the Rural Water on Display Photo Contest. Paul received second place in the “WaterWorks” category. Kevin took home first place in “Water in Rural America” and also took home the “Grand Prize” for best overall picture.
 
SDARWS was also asked to present a couple of sessions at this year’s conference. Jennifer Bame hosted a session titled “Public Relations and Customer Engagement.” Kurt Pfeifle and Jeremiah Corbin also hosted a presentation titled “Getting Results From Your Experts.” All in all it was a great conference in a great location.
 
Next year’s WaterPro Conference will take place in Savannah, GA, September 9-11, 2024. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend!