ND Rural Water

06/01/2026

Happy work anniversary to our incredible Training Specialist, Rachel Takala! Since joining the team in 2022 as our Source Water Protection Specialist, Rachel has worn many hats and excelled in every single one of them. Thank you, Rachel, for your flexibility, fantastic attitude, and continuous hard work!

05/27/2026

This week's water tower is in the City of Hazelton. Hazelton was founded in 1902 and was named by John Ithamer Roop for his daughter, Hazel. The city is located in Emmons County and has a population of 214.

If there's a water tower you would like us to feature, please send your photo to [email protected].

📷Credit: Rachel Takala

05/26/2026

Check out our upcoming trainings! 💧

Don't miss this week's session in Jamestown (May 28): Smart Solutions for Sustainable Water Systems.

Email from ND Rural Water Jamestown   Smart Solutions for Sustainable Water Systems Training & Facility Tours May 28: Jamestown Join us this week for Smart Solutions for Sustainable Water Systems Trai

05/22/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 25.

05/22/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Patrick Denne Memorial Scholarship Winners! 🎉

The North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association (NDRWSA) is incredibly proud to announce this year’s 21 scholarship recipients, with awards totaling $34,000!

These scholarships are funded through our annual live auction and generous donations, all to honor the legacy of Patrick Denne. Patrick dedicated his 20-year career to North Dakota's rural water systems, traveling roughly 750,000 miles across the state to provide vital technical assistance and watch our rural water communities grow.

Please join us in celebrating these hard-working students and operators! 👏👇

🎓 2026 Scholarship Recipients:
💧Cerissa Blessum - Aneta, ND
💧Emma Brinkman - Moorhead, MN
💧Connor Gast - Carrington, ND
💧Owen Gilbert - Lisbon, ND
💧Kelsey Johnson - Kensal, ND
💧Bryce King - Lisbon, ND
💧Brock Kirschmann - Bismarck, ND
💧Elise Kristiansen - Napoleon, ND
💧Keyara Lundstrom - Leeds, ND
💧Joseph Macdonald - Moffit, ND
💧Lily Moos - Napoleon, ND
💧Jacey Nelson - Crystal, ND
💧Grace Ones - Kenmare, ND
💧John Parsons - City of Goodrich & Minot operator & Enrolling in BSC's Water and Wastewater Technology program
💧Brooke Pojorlie - Killdeer, ND
💧William Ross - City of Lakota operator & NDRWSA Apprenticeship Program
💧Kylie Schmaltz - Mekinock, ND
💧Luke Shirek - Lankin, ND
💧Cailyn Takala - Upham, ND
💧Wyatt Vining - Walcott, ND
💧Ava Wieber - Mapleton, ND

Wish them luck in the comments below!

05/20/2026

It’s 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮! Time to get out your calendar and make a plan to go on one of the five water tours scheduled for 2026.

These one-day tours are only $40 and offer an opportunity to learn about water supply, fish and wildlife conservation, water quality, flood protection, water conservation, irrigation, and beneficial water use. (Individual registration of $40 includes tour transportation, lunch, refreshments, informational material, and a digital subscription to the 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 magazine.)

June 30 – Carrington
July 16 – Watford City
July 30 – Dickinson
August 3 – Belcourt
August 12 – Bismarck

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.𝗼𝗿𝗴/𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

05/20/2026

This week's water tower is the city of Strasburg. Strasburg is located in south central North Dakota in Emmons County. The railroad company originally named the station "Stafford." However, because most local pioneers were from Strasburg, South Russia, they successfully petitioned to rename the station "Strasburg" in honor of their former home.

If there's a water tower you would like us to feature, please send your photo to [email protected].

📷Credit: Rachel Takala

05/13/2026

This week's water tower is the City of Esmond. Esmond was founded in 1901 with the arrival of the railroad. Located in Benson County, the small community currently has a population of around 91 residents.

If there's a water tower you would like us to feature, please send your photo to [email protected].

📷Credit: Elizabeth Heinz

05/06/2026

This week's water tower is in the city of Turtle Lake. Turtle Lake was founded in 1905 and is located in McLean County. It has a population of around 500.

If there's a water tower you would like us to feature, please send your photo to [email protected].

📷Credit: Rachel Takala

05/01/2026

🎉 As we wrap up National Apprenticeship Week, we’re proud to celebrate the success of our apprenticeship program and the talented individuals who are building their careers through hands-on learning and real-world experience.

This week, we highlighted several of our current apprentices and the dedication they bring to their work each day. We’re also excited to recognize our two recent program graduates, David O'Kelley of Harvey, ND and Tim Britton of McLean-Sheridan Rural Water District, on reaching this important milestone. Congratulations on this well-earned achievement!

Apprenticeships create strong career pathways, strengthen our workforce, and invest in the future of our communities. We’re proud to support growth, opportunity, and success.