Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Albert Lea officials recently lobbied at the Minnesota State Capitol for funding toward upgrading the local wastewater treatment plant. Albert Lea City Councilor Larry Baker, Minnesota Sen. Gene Dornink, Albert Lea City Manager Ian Rigg and Albert Lea City Councilor Brian Anderson met to discuss the funding, among other issues.

Minnesota Rep. Peggy Bennett and Rigg appeared before the Capital Investment Committee in the House to request $35 million toward the $80-million upgrade at the wastewater treatment plant.

This plant treats 4 million gallons of wastewater on average every day. This is where all the water from sinks, washers, tub, toilets and factory processing in Albert Lea and Manchester — 7,300 homes and businesses total — goes for cleanup. After treatment, the plant, which is located southeast of the city, discharges the water to the Shell Rock River.

At 40 years old, the plant is beyond its expected life span of 30 years. In addition, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is requiring significant reductions in phosphorus, the nutrient that grows algae.

Without state funding, Albert Lea will need to significantly increase the sewer fees charged to residents and businesses in order to cover the cost of the upgrade.

Rigg testified that the state investing in the upgrade will benefit Albert Lea and all of Minnesota by:

• Discharging cleaner water to protect the environment.
• Lowering the plant’s carbon footprint compared to current operations.
• Making utility rates more equitable between rural areas and metro areas.
• Protecting against flooding.
• Improving working conditions for plant employees.
• Preserving jobs at agricultural businesses with 8 of the top 10 industrial users of the plant being ag-based.
• Meeting future requirements on reducing contaminants such as nitrogen.

For more information, watch the Capital Investment request video: https://youtu.be/AUMCALDQlhw.