DATE:             May 23, 2023
                         For Immediate Release

CONTACT:      Haley Foster
                          (763) 271-3202 | Haley.Foster@ci.monticello.mn.us

City to Receive State Funding for Water Treatment Facility

The City of Monticello will receive $11 million for construction of a new water treatment facility through the 2023 Bonding Bill passed by the State of Minnesota.

State funding was critical for accelerating the timeline for building the facility and its associated utility infrastructure in our community. While the municipal drinking water meets all federal and state regulatory requirements, tests have shown Monticello’s five municipal wells have higher levels of manganese than what is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

While manganese occurs naturally in drinking water and people need some to stay healthy, emerging evidence indicates too much can be harmful. Based on what scientists have learned about the effects of high levels of manganese, MDH established recommendations for the maximum concentration in drinking water. This remains a guideline rather than a mandate, but Monticello has been proactively working to address the manganese levels.

After implementing the most immediate short-term response by taking the municipal well with the highest level of manganese out of service, Monticello elected to complete a feasibility study that recommended constructing a centralized water treatment facility. While homeowners have options for at-home solutions like water filters to reduce manganese levels, a treatment facility ensures drinking water is treated before being distributed to the public.

The new facility will be constructed at a city-owned site on Chelsea Road that houses existing utility infrastructure. The state funding contribution will not cover the full cost of construction, estimated at $28 million. However, it is a vital financing component that will reduce the amount Monticello needs to bond for and repay through utility rates. City leaders also continue to seek funding support from additional sources, including assistance from the federal government.

Providing safe drinking water to the public is one of our fundamental responsibilities to the public, and we’re committed to enhancing this service so you can feel confident every time you turn on the tap.

Why Did I Get This Public Hearing Notice?

One of the most direct ways the City of Monticello influences the growth of our city is by making decisions about how land will be developed. Monticello officials adopted a subdivision ordinance and zoning ordinance to regulate land use in the community. This helps us maximize the potential of the land and limit conflicts between uses.  

While the ordinances provide structure for future growth, public input remains an important part of the process. MN state statutes require local jurisdictions to prepare public hearing notices when land use controls are proposed to change; in some cases when local government reviews a proposed land use, and when project funding includes potential assessments to benefiting private properties. 

Public hearing notices are posted to the City’s website and published in the City’s official newspaper, the Monticello Times.?They are also sent directly to property owners in the project vicinity. 

This means that from time to time, you may receive a public hearing notice by mail.?If you choose to participate, you’re providing an additional local perspective to the process. Before voting, city leaders receive background information, analysis of the proposal, and details about local regulations; but the hearings are the public’s opportunity to speak directly to local officials.

Public hearings are a formal process to confirm Monticello follows all state regulations, but we strive to provide helpful information, so the public feels welcome participating. If you receive mailed notice of a public hearing, it will tell you what the subject is, when the hearing will occur, and where you can find more information. We also encourage you to use the resources on our website or reach out to staff at city hall if you have additional questions.

Monticello Moves Forward with Water Treatment Facility Plans

Monticello’s City Engineer and Public Works Director, Matt Leonard has been busy representing the City at the Minnesota Capitol, testifying for funding support to construct a water treatment facility.

On Tuesday, March 7 Leonard testified before the Senate Capital Improvement Committee in support of the funding outlined in bill SF 501 (Anderson), introduced by Sen. Bill Anderson (R-Buffalo) in January 2023.

The next day Leonard testified before the MN House of Representative’s Committee on Capital Investment. Leonard was supported by Rep. Marion O’Neill (R-Maple Lake), who introduced HF 746 (O’Neill) in January 2023.

Both bills seek $22 million for construction of a water treatment plant in Monticello and related water utility infrastructure to accompany the plant. The City is also seeking a $10 million grant from the federal congressionally directed spending. This request has been sent to Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Congressman Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota).

Leonard was given 3 minutes to testify about the community and why we are seeking a water treatment plant. One of the primary reasons for the construction of a plant is the high levels of manganese in our drinking water.

About Manganese in Drinking Water

Manganese occurs naturally in drinking water and is found in rocks and soil. People need some to stay healthy, but too much can be harmful.

Scientists are still learning about the impacts of high levels of manganese in drinking water. Regulating agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continue to collect data to determine if future regulations are needed.

More attention was brought to manganese with the Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR4). As part of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act, every 5 years the EPA is required to issue a list of up to 30 unregulated contaminates that must be monitored by public water systems.

Manganese was included as one of the contaminates monitored between 2018 and 2020. The monitoring is intended to provide the basis for future actions to protect public health. The City of Monticello participated because we are a public water supply system serving a population greater than 10,000. 

In 2018 the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) developed guidance levels for manganese in drinking water. However, public water systems are not required to meet these guidelines, and they are not required to treat drinking water for manganese since it is not a primary drinking water standard.

Based on ongoing testing, the City’s municipal water supply still meets all Safe Drinking Water Act standards, but the levels of manganese are higher than MDH’s guidance.

Since learning of the manganese levels in 2018, the City of Monticello has been actively working with the Minnesota Department of Health and other experts to pursue effective short and long-term options to reduce manganese levels.

What is the City Doing to Reduce Manganese in Drinking Water?

First, the City took the initial step to reduce manganese in drinking water by limiting the use of wells with higher levels.

In addition, we’ve provided public outreach to help educate the public about options to reduce manganese levels in individual households (please see additional info below). Our website, annual city newsletters, utility bill inserts, and annual water report all contain helpful information about manganese for our residents.

We encourage residents to use any of the options available, and we also take seriously our responsibility to find a citywide mitigation strategy. Based on a feasibility study, the best option is to construct a water treatment plant. The City intends to build the facility on a city-owned Chelsea Road parcel where there’s an existing well house and a 760,000 gallon below ground water reservoir. The estimated cost to construct a water treatment facility is $28 million.

Now, the City is seeking funding assistance for the facility, so the city isn’t relying only on local rate payers. Leonard noted in his testimony that equitable water treatment is at the forefront of this project. The City is prepared to invest funds in construction as well as ongoing operations and maintenance, but state funding assistance is vital to bringing this project to life as quickly as possible.

What Can Residents do to Reduce Manganese?

There are several options for filtering manganese out of your drinking water. Certain types of home water treatment devices remove or reduce manganese:

• A carbon filter
• Distilled water or a distillation system
• A reverse osmosis water system
• A water filtration system
• A water softener

Looking for more information?

• Helpful information about residential options for reducing manganese is available in this Minnesota Department of Health Handout and on our website: www.ci.monticello.mn.us/224/Manganese-in-Drinking-Water
• Also, the City’s Utility Department continues to regularly test our municipal water system to ensure levels meet the Safe Drinking Water Act standards. This information can be found in our Annual Water Reports which are shared each year in a utility bill and can be found on our website: www.ci.monticello.mn.us/204/Annual-Water-Reports