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Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and City of Prior Lake open joint Water Treatment Plant

Prior Lake, Minn. – Representatives from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and City of Prior Lake celebrated the opening of a new joint South Area Water Treatment Plant yesterday. The new facility will serve both the tribe and city, helping to maximize efficiencies and protect regional groundwater. Click here to download photos from the event.

“Protecting our natural resources and preparing for the future of our tribe is critical to both the SMSC and the City or Prior Lake,” said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. “We’re proud to come together around these shared goals to create this facility, which will benefit our communities and protect groundwater from overuse and pollution.”

The new South Area Water Treatment Plant is located at 2017 154th St. W in Prior Lake. The City of Prior Lake and SMSC water systems are connected, and the SMSC provides additional water to Prior Lake via the existing North Area and new South Area Water Treatment Plants. The City of Prior Lake can request water as needed via the integrated control systems, allowing these separate systems to operate as one. The South Area Water Treatment Plant is designed to allow for future expansion when the city determines that increased water supply is necessary. “This project speaks to the strength and importance of our city’s relationship with the SMSC,” said Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs. “We’re thankful to the SMSC for working with us to make this much-needed facility a reality.”

The facility is covered in the SMSC and City of Prior Lake’s long-term water agreement, signed in 2017. Per the new agreement, the City of Prior Lake has the right to purchase water from the SMSC in amounts up to 2.2 million gallons each day.

About the City of Prior Lake

Prior Lake is a community known for its lakes, outdoor amenities, recreation, entertainment venues, and opportunities. Coupled with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the other entertainment venues in northern Scott County and the vibrant regional parks, Prior Lake enjoys a regional and national reputation as a great place to visit and stay. The 25,000+ residents of Prior Lake reinforce a warm, small-town feel by welcoming visitors with courtesy and hospitality. Prior Lake’s downtown area serves as the hub of the City, offering a walkable destination, specialty shopping, dining, entertainment and services that meet the needs of residents and visitors alike. Prior Lake is a vibrant and welcoming life-long community, offering a high-quality of life with a small-town feel.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Dakota tribal government located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to other tribal governments and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County and attract millions of visitors to the region.