WASTEWATER REGIONALIZATION WITH OWATONNA
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The City of Medford is planning to regionalize their wastewater system with the City of Owatonna. The improvements include construction of a lift station and forcemain to Owatonna. The existing wastewater treatment facility in Medford will be decommissioned. Currently, the estimated project cost is $11 million. The City has secured $4.5 million from the State of Minnesota Bonding Bill to offset the cost of the project.
WASTEWATER TREATEMENT NEEDS:
The existing wastewater treatment facility is at the end of its life, has limited capacity for growth, and is located in a floodplain.
Past discharges of untreated wastewater into the Straight River has resulted in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fines and corrective action.
Regionalizing wastewater systems with Owatonna is less costly than constructing a new wastewater treatment facility.
SCHEDULE:
- Study to Determine if Wastewater Regionalization was the Best Option – Complete
- Secure Bonding Bill Funding of the Project – Complete
- Pursue Additional Funding – Ongoing
- Engineering and Design – Ongoing
- Submit Facility Plan for Funding – Spring 2024
- Finalize Funding – Fall 2024
- Construct Project – 2025 Construction Season
SEWER RATE IMPACTS:
Sewer rates will increase. The amount of increase cannot be determined until project costs and funding are finalized.
Sewer rates for average residential user:
- Current – $63/month
- Projected if the city did not complete the regionalization project and built a new plant – $180/month
- Projected with planned regionalization and current funding – $100/month
DOCUMENTS:
NEWS ARTICLES:
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
Location:
- Medford City Hall
408 2nd Ave SE, Medford, MN 55049
Times:
- 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM
Agencies Involved
- WHKS & Co.
- City of Medford
PROJECT CONTACTS
Brandon Theobald
Consulting City Engineer
WHKS & Co.
[email protected]
507.288.3923
Elizabeth Jackson
City Administrator
[email protected]
507.455.2866