[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/\u00a9-Jason-Yoder-stock.adobe_.com_header-option.png” background_size=”custom” background_image_width=”100%” background_image_height=”73%” background_blend=”overlay” min_height=”311.2px” custom_margin=”||39px|||” custom_padding=”142px||142px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” max_width=”1100px” custom_margin=”-93px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Arial|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”13px” text_letter_spacing=”1px” custom_margin=”11px||8px||false|false” custom_padding=”27px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”47px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”-90px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” max_width=”1100px” custom_padding=”||48px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Arial|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#111111″ text_font_size=”10px” text_letter_spacing=”1px” background_color=”#b8d4e6″ max_width=”98px” custom_padding=”5px|12px|5px|12px|true|true” custom_css_main_element=”border-radius: 999px; display: inline-block;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n REGION 8<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Georgia|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#111111″ header_font_size=”34px” header_line_height=”1.1em” custom_margin=”18px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Arial||||||||” text_text_color=”#222222″ text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Since June 2024, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa has partnered with the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SW EFC) to support long-term wastewater infrastructure improvements in Rolette County, North Dakota, including the town of Belcourt.<\/span> <\/span>Through these efforts, the Tribe secured <\/span>$2.75 million<\/span><\/b> through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Program (Section 594) for project design and construction. An additional <\/span>$1.35 million<\/span><\/b> from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will satisfy the required matching funds, making the project fully grant funded. Phase 1 of the project will construct new sewer mains to connect homes to the existing wastewater collection and treatment system. In addition to improving public health and environmental protection, the project will support the conversion of additional homes from aging septic systems to the centralized sewer system in future project phases. <\/span> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|30px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Arial||||||||” text_text_color=”#222222″ header_3_font=”Georgia|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#111111″ background_color=”#b8d4e6″ custom_margin=”35px||||false|false” custom_padding=”28px|32px|28px|32px|true|true” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong> Belcourt, ND<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Assistance Areas: <\/span><\/b>Funding,<\/span> <\/span>Pollution <\/span>Prevention, Source Water<\/span> <\/span>Protection<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n System Overview: <\/span><\/b>Turtle Mountain Public Utilities Corporation serves Rolette County, including the Turtle Mountain Reservation.<\/p>\n Duration:<\/span><\/b> June 2024 \u2013 Present <\/span><\/p>\n Partner(s):<\/span><\/b> Houston Engineering<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][dsm_button button_one_text=”Need Help with Your System? Request Assistance ” button_one_url=”https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/about-us\/contact-us\/” button_one_url_new_window=”on” button_one_lightbox_close_color=”rgba(216,216,216,0.2)” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_color=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color=”#007ac6″ button_one_border_width=”0px” button_one_border_radius=”10px” box_shadow_style_button_one=”preset4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dsm_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Challenges ” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#ffffff” open_toggle_background_color=”#000066″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#ffffff” closed_toggle_background_color=”#000066″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font=”Arial|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#ffffff” animation_style=”bounce” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 80% of Septic Tanks in the area have failed.<\/span><\/p>\n Potential Wetland and Surface Water contamination.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Outcomes ” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#ffffff” open_toggle_background_color=”#000066″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#ffffff” closed_toggle_background_color=”#000066″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font=”Arial|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#ffffff” animation_style=”bounce” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Turtle Mountain received $2.75 million in funding to begin Phase 1.<\/span><\/p>\n Improve public health and environmental protection by connecting failing septic systems to the existing wastewater collection and treatment system.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”247528,247529,247530,247531″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” admin_label=”Gallery” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial quote_icon_color=”#76c043″ admin_label=”Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” position_font=”|700|||||||” position_line_height=”1.4em” custom_padding=”39px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kenny Azure [Turtle Mountain Public Utilities Corporation] forwarded an email to me about a presentation covering available funding for Tribal Nations. At the time, Kenny was asking me to explore all opportunities for funding of water and sewer infrastructure. It was a presentation that was completed by Matt Ziegler [SW EFC]. Matt covered the most common areas to get funding, but also mentioned that there are always other areas to explore and that he is always interested in working with Tribes to assist them with funding opportunities or education. I sent an email to Matt after the presentation explaining what we were trying to accomplish for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Matt then scheduled a call with myself, Kenny Azure, and Tucker Colvin [SW EFC] where we first discussed the infrastructure issues and started meeting on trying to develop funding opportunities for the Tribe. We have been meeting off-and-on ever since, and it has worked out well.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks for your continued assistance with everything Tucker!<\/span><\/p>\n – Neil Austin, Senior Project Manager, Houston Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/community-highlights\/” button_text=”Back to Our Work” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”13px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#5b8c85″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”999px” button_font=”Arial|700|||||||” button_icon=”$” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTExpanding Sewer Service to Protect Public Health and the Environment Belcourt, ND – Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa \u2013 Turtle Mountain Public Utilities Corporation REGION 8Project SummarySince June 2024, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa has partnered with the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SW EFC) to support long-term wastewater infrastructure improvements in Rolette County, North Dakota, including the town of Belcourt.Many homes in the project area rely on aging septic systems in an area with a high water table and clay-rich soils, causing frequent septic system failure. As septic systems fail, wastewater can back up into homes or on the ground surface, creating public health concerns and impacting nearby wetlands and surface waters. Recognizing the need for a long-term solution, the Turtle Mountain Public Utilities Corporation worked with its engineering consultant, Houston Engineering, and the SW EFC to identify, coordinate, and pursue funding that would extend sewer service to these homes. Through these efforts, the Tribe secured $2.75 million through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Program (Section 594) for project design and construction. An additional $1.35 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will satisfy the required matching funds, making the project fully grant funded. Phase 1 of the project will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-247525","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/247525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=247525"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/247525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":247537,"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/247525\/revisions\/247537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=247525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Project Summary<\/h2>\n
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<\/span>Many homes in the project area rely on aging septic systems in an area with a high water table and clay-rich soils, causing frequent septic system failure. As septic systems fail, wastewater can back up into homes or on the ground surface, creating public health concerns and impacting nearby wetlands and surface waters. Recognizing the need for a long-term solution, the Turtle Mountain Public Utilities Corporation worked with its engineering consultant, Houston Engineering, and the SW EFC to identify, coordinate, and pursue funding that would extend sewer service to these homes. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/span>Beyond funding identification and support, the SW EFC has continued its partnership with the utility by providing operator training and technical assistance to strengthen internal capacity for long-term sustainability.<\/span>
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<\/span>The Tribe\u2019s dedication to investing in infrastructure demonstrates how local leadership, strategic partnerships, and persistence can create lasting benefits for public health and environmental protection. <\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\nProject Details<\/h3>\n