The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) recently announced $23.4 million in water infrastructure loans and grants, including more than $7 million for the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.

“WLSSD is one of the biggest wastewater treatment facilities Minnesota has, and I am grateful the PFA included us in this round of funding,” said Sen. Jason Rarick (R-Brook Park). “These improvements will make it easier for WLSSD to continue providing clean water to the thousands of customers they serve.”

Western Lake Superior Sanity District will receive $7,131,411 for various improvements to the District’s wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of the Lakeside interceptor. Three separate loans from the Clean Water Revolving Fund, totaling $7,131,411 at 1% interest, will cover the cost of the projects. The loans are expected to save a combined $343,951 when compared to market-rate financing.

The Senate Capital Investment recently toured the Sanitary District to learn about an additional bonding request for new electric generators. The generators will allow them to convert more methane-rich biogas into electricity and heat for use at the facility. Purchasing electricity is WLSSD’s largest non-payroll expense. Currently, WLSSD is able to convert limited amounts of biogas into energy, covering about 8% of the facility’s energy needs. The new electric generators will enable them to recover 100% of the biogas and convert it to energy, as well as position WLSSD to reclaim other high-strength wastes in the future to produce additional biogas, and thus, more electricity.

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) provides wastewater and solid waste services and oversight for a 530 square mile region around Duluth, Minnesota that includes the cities of Duluth, Cloquet, Hermantown, Proctor, Carlton, Scanlon, Thomson and Wrenshall, and nine surrounding townships.