The Water Column

Think about where water goes next

In the last Water Column, we talked about knowing where your water comes from, and what’s in it.  That is important because, as a universal solvent, water picks up more of the materials that it comes in contact with and is changed more by those substances. So today lets think about where the water goes after we use it.

The hydrologic cycle makes water a renewable, reusable resource. Water evaporates, becomes vapor, condenses in clouds, falls back as rain, running off into rivers and streams or collecting in ponds, lakes and ground water. The cycle is never ending. 

As we use water for various activities, it is changed by materials it comes in contact with.  We pull the plug or flush the toilet and the water we use goes down the drain. Out of sight. Out of mind. We need to think more about where it goes next. That water needs to be treated.

Water treatment facilities improve water quality by removing pollutants before water is returned to rivers and streams and lakes. This helps to protect drinking water and aquatic life. There are approximately 800 cities and sanitary districts in Minnesota that own or operate wastewater treatment and sewer systems. The Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District is one of them, and works hard to help maintain the quality of our lakes and streams in this area.

ALASD Executive Director Scott Gilbertson provides an update about plant upgrades that will protect water quality and accommodate existing and continued growth:

ALASD WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY (Wastewater Plant) UPGRADES:

ALASD is completing the design phase of the Water Reclamation Facility upgrade, with construction scheduled to commence in July of 2025. The location of the planned improvements will take place at the existing Water Reclamation Facility, as existing processes will be upgraded along with new technologies, as designed. The incorporation of Membrane Bioreactor technology will ensure that ALASD discharges the highest quality treated water. The ultrafiltration capability of the membranes will effectively remove viruses, microplastics, pathogens, and non-soluble particles. Additionally, the Biological Nutrient Removal process will surpass proposed limits by achieving exceptionally low levels of total phosphorus and total nitrogen, setting a new standard for water treatment in the upper Midwest.

The design and planning process has been a two-year effort. The cost of the construction portion of the facility will be a massive project, with cost estimates totaling $80 million! Even with the incorporation of a conservative, pragmatic approach by ALASD, the project still suffers cost burdens that are unprecedented (post COVID). The primary increases in costs are from inflation of equipment, materials, and labor. ALASD is actively researching the best way to finance the project through grants, loans, and hopefully legislative appropriations (please support to offset the impacts to sewer rates.) The construction of the planned upgrade will last 2-3 years, culminating in the commissioning of the new treatment technologies.

The new improvements will not remove chlorides, unfortunately. However, the ultrafiltration treatment process is a necessary phase if side-stream treatment for chloride removal is required. To be clear, the most cost-effective measure to deal with the chloride pollution is to eliminate the sources (mainly water softener discharge brine), and reduce industrial sources.

WHAT IS THE CHLORIDE REDUCTION STRATEGY:

The ALASD Chloride Citizen Advisory Committee continues to meet quarterly to discuss strategies for reducing chloride sources. The successful implementation of the ALASD Water Softener Rebate program has encouraged customers to replace inefficient water softeners with new high-efficiency (HE) models that use less salt. Rebates are currently available for replacing old softeners with new HE models, including salt-free technology! Please visit ALASD’s website: www.alasdistrict.org for details of the chloride reduction rebate program.

ALASD secured a grant from the LCCMR worth $764,000 to implement Chloride Reduction Strategies. These funds will sustain the water softener rebate program, support initiatives for industrial chloride source reductions, facilitate educational campaigns, and explore individual brine disposal options.

As we mentioned in the last Water Column, it only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. We all have a part to play to keep our water clean. That includes being mindful about what we send down the drain. We can also help by supporting legislation to provide funding for ALASD Water Reclamation Facility.  Visit www.alasdistrict.org for more information.