waterpipelineTHUMBJamestown (CSi) Preliminary talks have started to bring Missouri River water to the Jamestown area.

North Dakota State Water Commission, Development Director, Bruce Engelhardt says, engineering firms are looking at different ways, adding that there is no leading alternative, but they are all pipelines.

The project “Central North Dakota Water Supply Project,” is in response to the water needs of the planned $3 billion CHS nitrogen fertilizer plant at Spiritwood, which would use about 3,800 gallons of water per minute in the manufacturing of nitrogen farm fertilizer.

CHS, Vice President for Northern Pipelines and Terminals John Traeger, says the company would like to have a decision on water availability in March and won’t start construction until they receive a commitment for a water source.