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February 2018
Gov. Mark Dayton is proposing a $1.54 billion bonding package
aimed at “urgently needed” projects throughout Minnesota. The package includes
$998 million for infrastructure and $543 million for public colleges and
universities.
The $998 million infrastructure proposal includes the following
for water
resources:
- $80 million for the Water Infrastructure Funding Program to increase aid to communities for rehabilitating aging wastewater and drinking water systems
- $62 million for the Point Source Implementation Grant Program to help local governments pay for wastewater treatment plant upgrades
- $25 million for the Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds
- $5 million for grants to local governments in the metro area to resolve infiltration and inflow problems
See the governor’s website for a
full list of projects included his public works proposal.
The proposal would create nearly 23,000 jobs and fund more than
218 projects statewide, the governor said in a statement, adding that although
infrastructure investments have been made during his time in office, they have
not kept pace with the “enormous need” across Minnesota. Communities throughout
the state need almost $5 billion over the next 20 years for wastewater
infrastructure, mostly to fix aging systems, according to a recent
survey.
When releasing a report
this week summarizing key findings from 10 Water Quality Town Hall meetings,
Dayton noted the projects funded last year and the increasing need this year.
The 2017 Public Works Bill funded at least 22 projects, but a
new analysis shows that at least 171 local clean water projects will need additional
state funding to move forward. The governor highlighted the Redwood Falls
Wastewater Treatment Plant as one of those awaiting funding. This city in
southwest Minnesota is seeking state funding toward a $16 million project to
rehabilitate its aging facility and reduce phosphorus in its discharge. The
system was last upgraded nearly 30 years ago.
This will be the final session for the two-term governor, who has
made water quality a top issue of his time in office. The Legislature, which
convened Feb. 20, must complete its work by May 21 this year.
Related
media coverage:
Photo above right: Rusted wastewater equipment at Donnelly
in Stevens County is one example of aging infrastructure across Minnesota.
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Formatting data
Submit data on the Sample Values and DMR in the same format
as the Limits and Monitoring section in your permit requires. For example, if
the permit indicates whole numbers with no decimals, then use only whole
numbers on the Sample Values and the DMR.
If the permit indicates one number to the right of the decimal point,
then use only one number to the right of the decimal point on the Sample Values
and DMR, etc. Failure to do so causes data submittal problems and false violations
that require amended Sample Values and DMRs. Also, be sure to use proper
rounding.
Sequence to follow for submittals
Here's another tip, this one on the sequencing of submittals.
Follow this process when submitting eDMRs:
- First submit daily sample values
- Then submit the DMR
- Finally submit attachments
For more guidance on eDMRs, please visit the MPCA booth at
the annual wastewater conference (more information below) or this
DMR webpage.
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The MPCA will hold the 44th annual Collection System Conference March 19-21 at the Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park (7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park, Minn.).
Highlights include:
- SA and SB exam refresher
- SC and SD exam refresher
- Certification examinations
- Vendor and professional organization displays
Other topics include inspection techniques and tools, pipe and manhole rehab, asset management, pumps and lift station tour, electrical generation and controls, infiltration and inflow, condition assessment, odor control and biofilters, working alongside your coworkers, and much more. The conference brochure and registration packet is available on the MPCA wastewater training webpage. Exam refreshers require pre-registration; see the registration page of the brochure for details. For more information, contact Annaliza Heesch at 651-757-2591 or annaliza.heesch@state.mn.us.
Have a question about your permit? Having trouble with
eDMRs? Then be sure to stop at the MPCA booth during the 81st annual
Wastewater Operations Conference March 21-23 at the Marriott
Northwest (7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park, Minn.). Regional
staff and data managers will be on hand to answer your questions. Also note the
eDMR session at noon on Wednesday, March 21.
The conference
brochure and registration packet is available on the MPCA
wastewater training webpage.
Highlights of the conference include:
- A & B exam refresher
- C & D exam refresher
- Type IV (biosolids) refresher
- Certification examinations
- Vendor and professional organization displays
- Facility Operational Awards ceremony
Other topics include new plants and upgrades, aging infrastructure and asset management, flooding challenges and response, emerging issues, facility optimization, industrial wastewater and pretreatment, treatment approaches for small wastewater utilities, stabilization ponds, safety, new large subsurface treatment system policies and procedures, and much more. The conference brochure and registration packet is available on the MPCA wastewater training webpage. Exam refreshers require pre-registration; see the registration page of the brochure for details. For more information, contact Annaliza Heesch at 651-757-2591 or annaliza.heesch@state.mn.us.
If you are planning on taking an exam at the 2018 MPCA
Annual Collection System or Wastewater Operations Conference, certification
exams will be offered at the following times:
- Collection System Conference: Wednesday, March 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Wastewater Operations Conference: Friday, March 23 from 8
a.m. - Noon
Eligible operators intending to take the exam must complete
and mail an exam application and application fee on or before March 6. Exam applications are available at:
www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-wwtp8-00.pdf. Questions? Contact Tracy Finch at
651-757-2103, 1-800-657-3864, or tracy.finch@state.mn.us .
The MPCA is pleased to announce the 2017 Wastewater
Treatment Facility Operational Award recipients. The list of
recipients is available online. The agency reviewed all eligible permit holders
for outstanding compliance over the period from Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30,
2017. Awards will be presented on Thursday, March 22, at 3 p.m. at the 81st
Annual Wastewater Operations Conference. Questions? Contact your compliance
officer.
The 2018 MPCA Wastewater Operator Training Calendar and registration form is now available on the MPCA Wastewater Training website: www.pca.state.mn.us/water/training-wastewater-operators.
The MPCA is pleased to announce
that Theresa Haugen (photo at right) has accepted the position of supervisor of industrial water
quality permits. This position was previously held by Jeff Udd, who recently
moved up to be manager of the mining sector for the agency. Haugen has been with the MPCA for
10 years, including working on the air quality emissions inventory before
coming to the industrial division’s biofuels sector as a wastewater permit
writer. She later joined the industrial wastewater permitting team and played a
major role in managing water quality concerns related to silica sand mining.
For the past 2 years Haugen has been the supervisor of the southeast region
point source wastewater and SSTS compliance and enforcement unit. She is known
within the agency for her strong communications and project management skills.
You can reach Haugen at 218-316-3920 or theresa.haugen@state.mn.us.
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The Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development recently awarded grants totaling $5.24
million to four cities in rural Minnesota:
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The city of Brooten, in Stearns and Pope counties, received $1.03 million toward a sewer improvement project and roadway in an existing industrial park. The total estimated project cost is $2.78 million. These improvements will expand sanitary service throughout the park and extend a water main. This project will help retain employees and open up four vacant sites for future development.
- The city of Luverne, in Rock County, will use a $1.98 million grant to help with the expansion of Ralco Nutrition Tru Shrimp. The $5.39 million infrastructure project will include street improvements, as well as storm and sanitary sewer, water main and other site improvements. This project has the potential to create 74 full-time jobs and increase economic development activity in the area.
- The city of Royalton, in Morrison and Benton counties, received $227,014 in funding toward extending water and sewer service to a new industrial park at an estimated cost of $454,028. The 19.2-acre site will encourage business expansion and create local jobs.
- And the city of Marshall, in Lyon Couny, will use $2 million in funding for a new industrial park to accommodate an expansion by Ralco Nutrition. The $5.15 million project will extend road, water main, storm and
sanitary sewer service to a 9-acre lot. Twenty jobs will be created initially.
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