Running Strong Completes Water Projects on Pine Ridge Reservation
Last fall, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® completed two water projects on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, benefiting a total of eightindividuals.
Christie Receives a Well
In September, our contractor, Ferguson Construction in Kyle, SD, completed a project to drill a well for Christie of Kyle and hook up her house, including all materials, conduit, wiring, casing, disconnects, screen, and well cap, at a total cost of $21,000.
Christie told us in her application in March that she had been without water for two years, and she had also been on the tribal waiting list for two years.
There are five individuals in her household, ages 10, 15, 18, 53 and 53.
Asked in the application, “Why do you need a water line hook-up” Christie told us, “There is no water.”
Prior to having the well drilled and her house hooked up, Christie told us she had to travel three miles to get water.
Kiva Receives a Water Line Connection
In November 2024, Kiva, who lives four miles from Kyle, told us in her application that she had been without running water for five months and was on the tribal waiting list for water.
Kiva’s household of five includes three adults (two of whom are elders) and two children under the age of 18.
When asked why she needed a water line hook-up, she told us, “I need water and septic as there is not currently anything for my house. It is also a public health concern.”
Before the hook-up, she had been hauling water from her grandparents’ former home about a ½ mile away.
Following the excavation, dirt work, mobilization and delivery of material to install a 1,000-foot waterline with pipe, meter pit, hydrant and more at a total cost of $14,500, Kiva and her household now have all the water they need for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing.
World Water Day
World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of fresh water.
World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.1 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.
Right now, in the United States of America, there are thousands of Native Americans living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and the Crow Nation in Montana who lack running water.
This year, Running Strong for American Indian Youth is working on Pine Ridge to connect families to the main water line which runs across the vast reservation, while on the Crow Nation, we have partnered with Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation to provide wells for two households, construct two cisterns, install 10 reverse osmosis systems, make plumbing repairs to 10 homes, and more – all to ensure ready access to clean water for Native American children, families and elders.
Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation on Crow Nation Receives $200,000 Grant from Running Strong
In September, Running Strong awarded a $200,000 grant to Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation (CDC) on the Crow Nation in Crow Agency, Montana.
The grant will cover the construction of two new wells at a cost of $16,000 each, two cisterns at $26,600 per household, plumbing repairs for 20 homes at $2,500 each, well caps for 10 homes at $300 each, and $25,000 for 10 reverse osmosis water filtration systems, which can help remove pollutants such as lead, volatile organic compounds, arsenic, bacteria and more.
Plenty Doors describes the situation as urgent: “An alarming number of our people are in dire need of safe water, sanitation and waste management and basic hygienic conditions that are essential for the prevention and for protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks and overall good health.”
In November, Leroy Cummings, Plenty Doors WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Navigator, reported that on October 3, he began the process of assisting applicants with filling out applications throughout the reservation.
“I’m gathering information and assisting applicants to complete the application process,” Leroy reported.
In January, Leroy reported that one project had been completed – a water line connection for the Francine Morrison residence, as well as a cistern, which included replacing the cistern pump, pressure tank switch and breakers.
The project is benefiting six individuals, including a 70-year-old single female, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all living in the modular home in a rural area called Benteen.
Earlier in 2025, Running Strong was able to connect two homes to clean running water, impacting eight people. Those who received a water connection were Chelsea Z. and Jennifer S. of the Wolf Creek Community, who each received a new home through Mazaska Financial, a CDFI that provides housing development services for Lakota people.
For 2026, Running Strong will execute in-home water connections and install reverse osmosis devices in homes with working systems but contaminated water.
In addition, we will work with a Running Strong Microenterprise Development loan recipient, a water contractor, and will focus on training one person to conduct inspections and building cost estimates.
This will build the local capacity to ensure construction projects are estimated at a fair price and that construction meets Tribal codes.
