Daines, Sheehy, Downing Introduce Bill to Provide Clean Water to Eastern Montana, Authorize Construction of Dry-Redwater Rural Water System

• May 12, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today introduced a bill to authorize construction of the Dry-Redwater rural water system, which will help provide clean and reliable water to eastern Montana. Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Montanans shouldn't have to use dirty water for drinking, eating, cleaning, or other basic necessities. The Dry-Redwater rural water system is a critical project that must be completed as soon as possible, and I'll work with Senator Sheehy and our colleagues to get this bill across the finish line," said Daines.

"The construction of the Dry-Redwater Rural Water System will be a gamechanger for Eastern Montana, ensuring reliable access to clean water for our rural communities. I'm proud to lead this legislation in the Senate with Senator Daines and will fight alongside our whole delegation to ensure this project gets completed as quickly as possible," said Sheehy.

"Access to clean and reliable water is essential for Montana families, ranchers, farmers, and rural communities. Eastern Montana has dealt with poor water quality for far too long, and this project would deliver the long-term infrastructure needed to support our communities across the region. I'm proud to support this effort to expand access to safe water, strengthen rural development, and invest in the future of eastern Montana," said Downing.

Read the bill text HERE.

Background:

The Dry-Redwater rural water system would impact Dawson, Garfield McCone, Prairie, and Richland counties- all areas which have historically had very poor water quality. The system will include a water treatment plan, over 1,300 miles of pipeline, 116 miles of electrical lines, twelve pump stations, and six storage tanks.

Statements of Support:

"Senator Steve Daines has been a determined champion of the Dry-Redwater Regional Water System since his first days in Congress in 2013 and the Montana Congressional delegation deserves tremendous credit for advancing legislation to federally authorize the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority and deliver a long-overdue regional water system to Eastern Montana. This effort will provide clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to communities that have waited far too long for this kind of investment." - Mike Trotter, Chairman, Board of Directors, Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority

Read a letter of support from Ben Rugby, Executive Director of Montana Rural Water Systems HERE. Read a letter of support from Joni Sherman, General Manager of Dry Prairie Rural Water HERE.

###

Contact: