By: State Senator Steve Drazkowski; State Senator John Jasinski; Representative Pam Altendorf; Representative Brian Daniels; Representative Steve Jacob

 

To the editor: 

The Minnesota Legislature has an opportunity to make significant investments in water and wastewater infrastructure with the 2024 bonding bill. Last year, the DFL-led legislature’s massive $1.9 billion bonding bill failed to prioritize critical water and wastewater needs. Republicans were able to negotiate funding for 47 local water and wastewater projects totaling $380 million, but the needs continue growing — the MPCA Project Priority List is over 300 projects totaling over $3 billion. These local water and wastewater projects need to be an urgent priority in this year’s bonding bill. 

To address our needs, we must think outside of box and collaborate. The Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District regional wastewater treatment and collection project is a perfect example of the bold thinking we need. 

The cities of Goodhue, Pine Island, Wanamingo, and Zumbrota, along with the Prairie Island Indian Community, have united to form a new regional sanitary district. The aim is to construct a new wastewater facility and collection system. The $44.8 million request for State bonding, along with the 2023 $10 million initial investment, is part of the projected $109.5 million project. This project, while having similar upfront costs to each community constructing four individual wastewater treatment facilities, is estimated to bring in more than $500,000 per year in savings in operation and maintenance costs.  

Other benefits include increased performance and reliability, staffing efficiencies, lower cost per gallon for treatment, and reduced sampling and testing. 

The five communities all have aging facilities, with high operation and maintenance costs and limited growth potential. They provide no economies of scale in operation, lack space to expand the current facilities, have multiple discharges to the Zumbro River, and are prone to flooding.  

There is also increasing pressure from the state to meet environmental requirements. A state-of-the-art facility will benefit the environment, meet new treatment requirements, and improve the water quality in the Zumbro River.  

This collaborative effort for wastewater has the potential to serve as a model for other communities in the State. It will not only reduce costs for the communities involved but also bring efficiency to performance and maintenance and improve water quality in Minnesota. The leadership within these communities has carefully and thoughtfully put together a plan to meet their long-term wastewater needs. Their efforts should be acknowledged and rewarded with funding from the state.  

As legislators representing the communities of Goodhue, Pine Island, Wanamingo, and Zumbrota, we strongly endorse the project. 

The North Zumbro Sanitary District request is our top priority, and we urge and its inclusion in the 2024 bonding bill.  

Sincerely, 

State Senator Steve Drazkowski – District 20
State Senator John Jasinski – District 19
Representative Pam Altendorf – District 20A
Representative Brian Daniels – District 19A
Representative Steve Jacob – District 20B