Designs are complete for a new wastewater treatment facility that could potentially double the capacity for Tower and Breitung Township.
Water/wastewater supervisor Matt Tuchel said the plans had been submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for approval.
The plans call for adding rapid infiltration basins to the wastewater system, which would allow for more discharge from water that comes into the system’s stabilization ponds.
As things stand right now, water from the ponds eventually discharges into surface water, which finds its way into Pike Bay. By using rapid infiltration basins, water would instead flow through an additional filtration process of 60 feet of gravel before being deposited into the groundwater basin.
That could help reduce some pollutants in the lake. It would also increase capacity.
“Where it helps us is that where we live, we have a small window when we can get rid of water by law. By law, we can only release water between April 1 and June 3. Well, nine times out of ten, the lake is frozen over on April 1, so we have to wait until May or later.”
That small window is compounded by the length of time it takes to get rid of water. Tuchel said it takes about a month to get rid of just six inches of water in the ponds. The rapid infiltration basins would allow for discharge all summer.
“As long as they’re not frozen, we should be able to get rid of water,” Tuchel said.
He said he’s hopeful that the bidding process will happen this winter and that construction can start in 2026.
JPJ, the engineering firm designing the project, estimates it will cost $2.32 million.
Funding is coming from a variety of sources, including a $1 million federal appropriation. The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation board has also granted $3 million to the water district, which will be used for multiple projects, including the water plant, the wastewater upgrade, and possibly for maintenance on the water main servicing Tower.
“We’re hoping not to borrow any money for these projects,” Tuchel said.