One of the most underreported outcomes of the November elections is the impact of the constitutional amendment extending the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).
Extending the amendment was sold as a way to continue protecting Minnesota’s environment using lottery funds. But it came with a significant flaw: When drafting the new amendment, Democrats made a change that prohibits using any of the funding for critical water infrastructure projects like wastewater treatment facilities. For many Minnesotans, especially those in smaller communities like the ones in southern Minnesota, this decision will have terrible consequences.
Many of us warned about this prior to election day. Minnesota faces a serious water infrastructure crisis. Much of our water and sewer systems were built more than 50 years ago. In some cities, pipes date back 80 years or more. These aging systems are prone to failures, and the cost of replacing them is overwhelming for small towns with limited tax bases.
These are common – not unique – stories. Across the state, small communities are grappling with these challenges.
What makes this situation even difficult is the state’s strict water quality standards. Meeting these standards often requires millions of dollars in upgrades to wastewater treatment plants. With ENRTF funds now off the table for these projects, towns will have to rely on a patchwork of state bonding, federal grants, and higher local taxes or utility fees. It places an unfair burden on low-income residents, struggling communities, and small towns.
Consider the city of Lewisville in our area. With only 225 residents, Lewisville needs $6.75 million for sewer, stormwater, and water tower improvements. These costs are staggering for a community of its size, and Lewisville’s story is far from unique.
The ENRTF could have provided critical support for projects like this, but the restrictions Democrats added to the amendment leave communities like Lewisville to fend for themselves.
In many cases, clean water depends on a comprehensive approach – combining efforts to protect drinking water, improve wastewater systems, and manage stormwater. By blocking ENRTF dollars from being used on wastewater infrastructure, the amendment limits our ability to get things done that actually help people.
The irony is that the amendment allows funding for research on wastewater management but not for the actual construction or repair of facilities. In other words, we can study the problem but not fix it. For small towns, this is of little comfort. They don’t need more studies – they need real help.
As a state, we’ve made progress on issues like replacing lead pipes, thanks to state and federal funding. But our overall water infrastructure needs are enormous: Some estimates put it at $7 billion for drinking water systems and $4 billion for wastewater projects over the next two decades. The ENRTF could have been a significant part of the solution. Instead, it’s now off-limits for one of the most urgent priorities small towns face.
Clean water requires more than happy words. It requires real investments in the pipes, plants, and systems that keep our water safe. By excluding wastewater infrastructure from ENRTF funding, Democrats blocked a major opportunity to support the communities that need help the most. For the sake of all Minnesotans, we need to revisit this decision and find new ways to support the vital infrastructure that protects our state’s water.