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Small towns press committee for bonding and grants to fix wells, tanks and water lines
Summary
Multiple rural Minnesota cities told the House Capital Investment Committee on March 20 that aging or contaminated water systems threaten public safety and that state support is needed for wells, tank repairs and municipal hookups. Requests included PFAS remediation support, underground storage and municipal water extensions.
Local officials from Sauk Rapids, Kennedy, Andover, Dassel/Cokato and Biscay urged the House Capital Investment Committee on March 20 to approve bonding and grants to fix drinking‑water systems strained by contamination, age and limited local tax bases.
Why it matters: Witnesses said failing water infrastructure threatens daily service and firefighting capacity, and in some places PFAS contamination has forced wells offline. Speakers described limited local budgets and argued state support is necessary to avoid dramatic tax increases or long disruptions.
Sauk Rapids: Ross Olsen, city administrator for Sauk Rapids, said two wells exceeded health guidance for PFAS and that the city shut those wells for safety. “I’m here to request $3,600,000,” Olsen…
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