Water has begun flowing through the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.

     Officials say a treatment plant near Vermillion began producing water on Monday for distribution to 11 of the 20 member cities and rural water systems, including Sioux Falls. Board Chairman Red Arndt says it's a historic day that has been more than 22 years in the making.  The City of Madison is a member of the Lewis and Clark project, but is the only South Dakota city not connected yet. 

     The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System was incorporated in January 1990. The goal is to supply Missouri River water to about 300,000 people in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. The $462 million project isn't expected to be finished for several years, and federal funding for construction has become uncertain.

     A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the treatment plant is scheduled for Aug. 21 - the nine-year anniversary of the Lewis & Clark groundbreaking.