City of Big Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

Funding Requested: $7,000,000

Total Project Cost: $47,500,000

Project Summary: 

The City of Big Lake requires improvements at its Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) to address future growth in the City and aging infrastructure issues. The recommended improvements provide the most cost-effective treatment alternative, which puts the facility in the best position to meet current and future needs while reliably meeting regulatory requirements. This is both environmentally responsible, fiscally informed, and operable by the facility staff. The City has been investing local funds into the WWTF for decades but has reached a point where a significant expansion is necessary; therefore requesting assistance through Community Project Funding.

Background Information: 

The City of Big Lake WWTF is near the capacity limit and the current infrastructure cannot accommodate growth within the community. Big Lake is proud to be the home of larger manufacturing facilities that include two Significant Industrial Users. The businesses will likely expand due to their continued success; without implementing the necessary improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Facility, the community could be at risk of losing those businesses in the future. Without the WWTF improvements, Big Lake would be limiting the needs of the business community so much that there are businesses that may choose to invest in their existing facilities outside of Minnesota or the United States. Big Lake also has many acres of developable industrial property that will require increased capacity to accommodate the needs of the interested prospects. Due to the commercial growth that Big Lake is experiencing, there is high demand for workforce housing, which cannot be met into the future given the current infrastructure constraints. The upgrades to the infrastructure will improve the natural and economic environment of the Big Lake community, ensuring positive environmental outcomes and allowing for both business and residential growth.

Relevant Documents: 

• Letters of Support
• Congressman Emmer Financial Disclosure

Estimated Start Date: 10/01/2024

Estimated End Date: 09/30/2025

Account: State and Tribal Assistance Grants

Program: Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)

Recipient Point of Contact: Hanna Klimmek

Recipient Legal Name: City of Big Lake

Recipient Address:

160 Lake Street North

Big Lake, Minnesota 55309

Is the funding requested by a governmental or non-profit organization?: Government