This year, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is continuing its commitment to providing clean water to families on the Crow Nation in Montana and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Crow Nation: Addressing Urgent Water Needs
Running Strong has awarded $200,000 in grant funding to the Plenty Doors Community Development Corp. in Crow Agency, Montana. The funds support its Apsáalooke Housing Assessment Project, which focuses on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs across the Crow Reservation.
The grant will cover:
• Construction of two new wells ($16,000 each).
• Installation of two cisterns ($26,500 per household).
• Plumbing repairs for 20 homes ($2,500 each).
• Well caps for 10 homes ($300 each).
• Purchase of 10 reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration systems.
Why Reverse Osmosis Matters
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) system is a small filtration device, usually installed under a kitchen sink, that removes contaminants from the water flowing to that faucet. It works by pushing water through a special membrane that separates clean water (called “permeate”) from wastewater (called “concentrate” or “brine”).
These systems can help remove pollutants such as lead, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS (“forever chemicals”), arsenic, bacteria, and viruses. Although most often used in homes, they can also be installed in office kitchens and other small settings.
The Local Situation
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.”
They continue, “There is no higher priority for our Crow Reservation communities.
Each of us have families that have gone without water or adequate sewer systems for an extended period time. Countless individuals have given up hope for help with their water situation.”
So far, 300 of 850 at-risk homes on the reservation have been tested for water safety. Results show that 40% of these homes are experiencing failing water and sanitation systems.
With the support of Running Strong, Plenty Doors expects to:
• Provide rural water and wastewater systems for four households.
• Complete plumbing upgrades for up to 40 homes.
• Train one individual to conduct inspections and prepare cost estimates.
As Plenty Doors explains, “For many people living on American Indian Reservations, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene issues have been a major concern.
But for the Crow people especially, our situation is compounded by years of living with unsafe water, poor sanitation, and difficulties meeting basic hygiene standards of a developed country.”
Pine Ridge: Expanding Access to the Mni Wiconi Water Line
For more than 30 years, Running Strong has been dedicated to providing clean water to families on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Early efforts included delivering truckloads of water and digging deep wells. Despite these efforts, many families still depend on outhouses and hauling water, and even today, dozens live without running water.
Launching the Mni Wiconi Program
In 2015, we launched the Mni Wiconi (Water is Life) water line connection program, which connects households to the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System main service line that spans the reservation. Since then, we have connected 309 families to treated water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing—either through an outdoor hydrant or full indoor plumbing with a septic system.
This fall, Running Strong is connecting four additional families through the program. With colder weather approaching on the Great Plains, time is critical: once the ground freezes, it becomes impossible to dig trenches or lay pipelines. On the Great Plains, the first hard freeze often arrives by late September or early October, leaving a short window to complete this work.
Stories from the Families
Among the applicants is Christie of Kyle, located in the Medicine Root District. She has been without running water for two years and has been on the tribal waiting list just as long. Her modular home, located within 1,000 feet of the main water line, already has indoor plumbing. In addition to the water line connection, she is requesting a septic system for her household of five (ages 10–53). Currently, she drives three miles to haul water. When asked why she needs a water line hook-up, Christie replied, “There is no water.”
Another applicant is Kiva, who lives four miles south of Kyle. She reported in November 2024 that she had been without running water for five months. Her modular home also has indoor plumbing, and she is requesting both a water line connection and a septic system. Her home is within 700 feet of the main service line, and her household includes five people (ages 11–76). She currently hauls water more than five miles from her grandparents’ former home. When asked why she needs a water line hook-up, Kiva said, “I need a water and septic as there is not currently anything available for the house. It is also a public health concern.”
Running Strong remains committed to ensuring every Native family has access to safe, reliable water. Together with our partners and supporters, we are working toward the day when no family must live without this most basic human need.
