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

PROJECT PICTURES

Current Waste Treatment Plant