Van Hook to get rural water

by Slawson Companies on 7.6.17

The Van Hook Recreation Area will be connecting to the Fort Berthold Rural Water System this fall.

Dawn Ritts, who manages the recreation area with her husband Justin, announced that a grant from Slawson Exploration would enable the area to have a fresh water kiosk.

Ritts said the recreation area, which is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Mountrail County Park Board has spent the past couple of years completing the permitting process. However, she thought it would take years to actually get connected because of the prohibitive costs. Ritts approached Slawson Exploration to see if the company might consider donating to the project. Slawson agreed to fund the outstanding balance of $50,000.

Ritts said the park will be running water lines and installing a kiosk for public use at the East Fish Cleaning Station by the fall of 2017.

“As Van Hook is the busiest recreation area in north west North Dakota and is also home to full time and part time residences, this filling station will serve thousands of people annually,” Ritts said. “Currently, the only water available for the campground comes from wells that run the color of dark iced tea. The water is not potable and is very corrosive to plumbing and fixtures. All drinking water has to be trucked in. Access to clean, safe water is going to be an amazing asset to our summer community.”

There will be a check presentation ceremony at Van Hook on Wednesday, July 26th at 2 p.m. The ceremony will be brief and representatives of Slawson and the Mountrail County Park Board will be available to answer questions.

From New Town News and Sanish Sentinel