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In 1981, the Red Rock Rural Water System was organized and established under Minnesota Statute 116A. The original system included a small treatment plant, two wells, one water tower, a booster station and service to 285 customers and three communities. The distribution work was completed by RRRWS personnel. The system began service to customers in November 1985. The cost to each rural user was $7,178. In 1990, the city of Wilder service was added and there were 386 rural users. A new well and treatment plant modifications were also completed in 1990. By 1993, the system has grown to 523 rural connections. Lake Shetek development spurred additional interest. An agreement with the city of Balaton provided additional water to the growing system. A booster station was constructed to provide RRRWS with water. There was also a partnership formed with Lincoln Pipestone for additional water needs. The definite and growing need for additional water prompted the development of the Southeast Expansion Project. In 1996, RRRWS was granted $600,000 for the development of a new 500, 000 gallon water tower, 240 miles of main line, service to Odin and Ormsby and a connection with the city Of Windom. The city of Dundee was added to the system in 1998. Lake Shetek was experiencing additional development and in 2000 new services were added. The city of Butterfield was experiencing water quality issues and in 2001, Butterfield, St. James and RRRWS began a partnership to provide St. James water to Butterfield with assistance from RRRWS. This include a booster station and 200,000 gallon water tower. This partnership was a vital aspect of the Phase I Project. The Phase I project also provided water service to 213 rural residences. 2003 was a busy year for RRRWS. Phase II was funded by USDA Rural Development for 3.5 million dollars to provide water service to 231 new rural customers, and the development of a booster station and 160 miles of pipeline. RRRWS also began exploratory drilling in central Cottonwood County. A site containing two irrigation wells provided the information RRRWS was looking for. The location is also home to the headwaters of a DNR designated Trout Stream. The DNR now having a vested interest, provided $125,000 to the project. Recently, the site was also found to house a calcareous fen. By fall of 2004, two production wells will be in place to serve 460 proposed members. RRRWS would not be where it is today without the engineers and legal counsel, dedicated staff, and Board of Commissioners. There are currently nine employees and ten Board members. One employee and five Board members have been on board since the start of the system.
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