Marshall Municipal Utilities held a meeting to inform MMU sewer customers of the improvements needed to the Marshall Wastewater Treatment Plant and the funding requirements for these improvements at the Martin Community Center Tuesday, August 31.

General Manager Jeff Bergstrom gave the overview of the $9.1 million project which will include replacing equipment that was installed in the early 1990s. The treatment plant has two treatment trains. He explained because there are two treatment trains, parts can be taken off of one train to fix another. But at their age, he said MMU could not use both trains if needed. He also said aeration and clarifier equipment needs to be replaced to provide the treatment performance that is on the permit. He said this equipment runs 24/7, 365 days a year; and it has for 27 years.

Later, Controlled Tony Bersano explained some of the funding options, including interdepartmental loans. Bersano also said that since MMU is part of MPUA, getting a loan through MPUA is a possibility. Bersano said the project is projected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

Bersano also said MMU is hopeful of getting some ARPA funding to help pay for the project, but it is probably not going to be an option until later next year. Bersano explained what this means for MMU’s sewer customers.

Bersano further explained that this could change. In an ideal situation, Bersano said MMU would like to get about $6 million in ARPA funding and do an internal loan of $3 million. He said, “If that was to happen, it would just be this one-time rate increase. Worst-case scenario- we don’t get any funding, and we do the full $9.1 million through the finance program, we will be looking at another rate increase to cover the other part of the loan within the next year.”

MMU and its board will continue to discuss its options prior to making a decision.