Congressman Tim Walz’s office received a call from Dave Gudmundson last week asking for assistance. Walz staffers Josh Syrjamaki, Chief of Staff, and Peder Kjeseth, Agriculture and Energy Outreach Director, listened to concerns during an August 15 Fountain council meeting. Mayor Richard Kujath made clear the main concern is the high cost of wastewater operation. Potentially, it could lead to bankruptcy for the city.
City Clerk Ronda Flattum reported that the sewer fund, over six years, runs an average deficit of $35,000. Significant expenses are being incurred to get where the wastewater facility needs to be for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Fountain has hired People Service, Inc., water and wastewater professionals, to bring their plant into compliance with the MPCA. People Service has clients in six states. Rick Whitney, operator for People Service, has been acting as the plant operator. His boss, Herb Krueger (A-operator license), Southern Minnesota Region Manager for People Service, was also present. Krueger said for a town of this size it is ridiculous to need an A-operator.
Flattum said they are hoping to get grant funding. The day to day operations are requiring an A-operator. This was a point of contention, the fact that currently they are required to have an A-operator rather than a much less costly B-operator. Flattum explained the city’s 182 or so customers are the main source of income to operate the plant. Over half of the $12,000 per month generated by water and sewer fees goes to People Service for plant operation.
Whitney made it clear that there are way more costs for an A facility than a B facility for the operator and testing requirements. Those costs will go up. Whitney believes the rules placed on the plant by MPCA are “pretty stringent.” The plant runs on a total septic tank system. He described changes being made to get the plant into compliance. The city had to purchase costly testing equipment to make sure the plant is in compliance. The plant has been in compliance for a few months.
Whitney reported that the plant was purchased from a company that is no longer in business. There is no way the plant can function as it was designed to do. They are having to use alternative methods. Whitney commented that no one was told that they would need to spend $12,000 to $20,000 per year for MicroC, a carbohydrate base non-hazardous product for wastewater treatment to help meet contaminant removal goals.
MPCA signed off on the plant in 2009. The plant went into operation in January 2010. In 2015, the city received a violation letter from MPCA. In October 2016, there was a stipulation agreement stating what has to be done to get into compliance. The MPCA fine is $10,000 a pop for being out of compliance.
Kjeseth stated that they have met with other communities in similar situations. MPCA is imposing what is essentially an unfunded mandate. WSB senior project manager Richard Parr suggested MPCA might also be feeling the heat from the EPA because they (MPCA) approved the plant. The plant has really never performed well. He said a small plant is more challenging to operate. The Fountain plant is required to go from B to A because of regulations. He went on to describe how a plant is rated on a point system based on the systems in the plant. A low score is desirable to qualify as a B plant. Parr stated the plant is just over the limit for a B plant.
Parr insisted they were not changing the process at the plant, but only planning corrective actions, fairly minor changes. Changing the intended use of the tanks at the front end is what pushed us into an A plant. Krueger believes the MPCA is not easily swayed on the point system. Parr explained most of what we are doing is maintaining better control of existing systems. We all want the plant to operate, MPCA and the city.
Syrjamaki started to nail down specific things that they may be able to work on to help. First, they need to work with the MPCA on a variance; see if the MPCA can be a little flexible. MPCA needs to realize the consequences of enforcement. Second, they are looking for funding for wastewater improvements. They also need time to get funding. Third, funding is needed for plant operation, so the residents can afford fees going forward. Lastly, get people that are involved (MPCA officials, city engineer, council, and People Service) to the table to collaborate and come up with a workable decision.
Krueger said MPCA needs to review their point system, calling it outdated. A town of 400 people should not be classified like a large city. Mayor Kujath commented that the way it is right now, operation and maintenance will eat us up. Kjeseth concluded that in some ways it seems there is a penalty for being small. Parr agreed small communities are struggling.
Syrjamaki said Walz’s staff is visiting all 21 counties in the first district. He told council members to give them some time to work on it; to protect the environment and still keep it affordable for the city. Kjeseth added, “It is critical to our jobs that people reach out to us.”
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