City Celebrates Completion of Water Reclamation Facility Expansion

Published on October 30, 2025

The City of Sioux Falls commemorated a major milestone today with the official ribbon cutting of its newly renovated and expanded Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), marking the completion of the largest infrastructure project in the City’s history.

Following several years of planning and design, 3.5 years of construction, and a total investment of $215 million, the upgraded and expanded WRF now has increased capacity, advanced treatment technologies, and improved resiliency. The project increased the facility’s capacity from 21 million to 30 million gallons per day (MGD).

“This is a transformational project for Sioux Falls and the region,” said Mayor Paul TenHaken. “Our investment in the Water Reclamation Facility ensures that we are not only meeting the needs of today’s residents and businesses but also positioning our community to grow and thrive for decades to come. I am incredibly proud of our team for their work on this project, and every day, to deliver critical wastewater service to our community.”

Since the facility was built 40 years ago, this project was the first to significantly upgrade and expand the facility.

Key project highlights include:

Increased Treatment Capacity: The facility’s capacity was expanded to accommodate Sioux Falls’ growing population and regional demand for wastewater service.

Modernized Infrastructure: Aging components of the original 1980s-era plant were rehabilitated or replaced, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.

Advanced Treatment Technology: The upgraded facility incorporates modern equipment and processes to meet evolving state and federal environmental regulations and improve water quality.

Efficient and Resilient Design: Energy-efficient systems enhance the facility’s operations, while the facility’s new electrical system creates a triple-redundant power supply for reliability.

The WRF is a nonstop operation to collect and treat wastewater from more than 60,000 properties in Sioux Falls, plus the surrounding communities of Tea, Brandon, and the Renner Sanitary District. The WRF serves about 250,000 people in the region.

The City of Sioux Falls constructed the WRF from 1980 to 1986. When the facility was complete, Sioux Falls’ population was just under 98,000. Now, Sioux Falls’ population is estimated to be 219,588. Over the next 25 years, Sioux Falls’ population is projected to increase to 370,000.

“This facility is a testament to the power of long-term planning and our community’s continued commitment to investing in our infrastructure,” said Mark Cotter, the City’s Public Works Director. “Wastewater service is foundational to communities. As a team, we take great pride and responsibility in delivering reliable wastewater services at a level our customers expect and deserve.”

For more information about the Water Reclamation Facility’s expansion project, visit siouxfalls.gov.