(ABC 6 News) – At its regular meeting on August 19, the Rochester City Council approved contracts related to the liquids and solids upgrade project at the water treatment plant.
In a press release, the city stated, “This project is critical to providing clean water and meeting state requirements. The upgrade includes converting the existing high-purity oxygen plant and activated sludge plant into a single anaerobic/oxic treatment plant.”
This change will allow the plant to remove phosphorus biologically and meet the stricter permit limits without relying on increasingly expensive chemicals. Construction on the project will begin in the last week of August and is expected to be completed in December 2026.
Aaron Luckstein, deputy director of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, said in a press release, “This project is of great importance to the community of Rochester as it will provide a clean, recycled water resource through reliable and efficient wastewater treatment. With the planned upgrades, the plant will meet a more stringent state-mandated phosphorus limit, improve energy efficiency, reduce reliance on expensive chemicals and maintain aging equipment.”
The major components of this project include additional tank volume, new pumping and mixing systems, a repurposed blower complex, aeration diffusers, reclaimed wastewater reuse systems, repurposed tanks, thickening facilities, odor control systems, innovative wastewater heat recovery systems, and upgrades to existing ventilation and electrical systems.
The project is funded with $7,000,000 from the State of Minnesota’s Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG) and will receive $1,000,000 in repayment forgiveness for the integration of innovative technologies. The City has also secured $70,000,000 in pre-approved low-interest loans from the Minnesota Public Facility Authority for construction.
Implementation of this project is expected to result in annual savings of $230,000 in electricity consumption and $170,000 in chemical costs. In addition, the project provided $935,000 from the Community Grants Program to upgrade the disinfection basin.
A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Friday, August 23, at 1 p.m. at the water treatment plant. This event is open to the public, but reservations are required for access to the secure grounds.
