10.a Res 2021-24 Approve State Bonding Request for Bliss Nitrate ProjectPage 1 of 2
RESOLUTION 2021-24
CITY OF SCANDIA
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING STATE BONDING FUNDS FOR THE BIG MARINE WASTE
WATER TREATMENT PLANT NITRATE TREATMENT UPGRADE PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City of Scandia is a community of 4,000 people located in Metropolitan Minnesota along
the St. Croix River in Washington County. Scandia has a rich rural agrarian history and is the site of the
Minnesota first Swedish settlement.
WHEREAS, the Bliss Wastewater Treatment System (WWTS) that is owned and operated by the City of
Scandia. The system services approximately 80 households on the west side of Big Marine Lake, DNR Public
Waters I.D. # 82-52P. Big Marine Lake is a regional recreational lake within the jurisdictions of the City of
Scandia and May Township.
WHEREAS, the system ensures that all wastewater from these homes is treated properly before being
released back into the environment. This prevents pollutants from entering the lake and watershed at large,
which protects aquatic wildlife and habitats, as well as drinking water.
WHEREAS, the Bliss WWTS is rated to treat over 10,000 gallons of wastewater a day which requires it to
operate under a Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) administered by the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
WHEREAS, the City of Scandia recently reapplied for a new NPDES Permit to continue operating this
system.
WHEREAS, conditions have been added to this upcoming permit cycle that now require new limits on the
amount of nitrogen that the facility is not currently equipped to treat. In order to meet this new requirement,
additional costly treatment infrastructure must be added and additional upgrades will also be needed to assure
the long-term functionality of the system.
WHEREAS, due the utility’s size the cost of this project exceeds its current financial capacity. This project
cannot be possible without the assistance of a State Bonding Grant given the overall cost of the project, the
utility’s small size and limited finances.
WHEREAS, the City of Scandia is committed to its responsibility for addressing this compliance issue. It is
further committed to securing the local 50% match typically expected as part of obtaining this financial
assistance.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Scandia hereby requests a State Bonding Grant in
the amount of $712,500 for a total project cost of $1,425,000 for the design and construction of nitrate
treatment facilities for the Bliss Wastewater Treatment System on Big Marine Lake.
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Page 2 of 2
Adopted by the Scandia City Council on this 15th day of June, 2021.
_________________________________ ________________________________
Christine Maefsky Kenneth Cammilleri
Mayor City Administrator
Motion for adoption:
Seconded by:
Voted in favor:
Voted against:
Abstained:
Absent:
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Scandia City
Council at a duly authorized meeting held on June 15, 2021.
_____________________________________
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk
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