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