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Crookston examines water and wastewater budgets; lead tests pending, lift-station upgrades proposed
Summary
Council and staff reviewed water and wastewater operations and CIP needs, including a well-field study, pending lead-sample results and AE2S-proposed lift-station upgrades totaling roughly $1.5 million within a $2.2M wastewater CIP.
Crookston City staff on Sept. 17 walked council through the water and wastewater budgets for 2026, describing planned rate adjustments, recent lead-sampling, and large wastewater capital needs.
Staff said the city completed a water-rate study and implemented initial increases this year, with small, phased increases planned over the next two years to fund capital needs. "They did a study and determined that our rates were like the second lowest in the state," a water operations presenter said, noting the changes are intended to build reserves for mains and plant work.
On drinking-water safety, staff reported that 20 residential samples were collected in early September for lead testing and that results are pending from the lab; the results will be shared with council and included in the city's annual consumer confidence report (CCR). Staff emphasized an outreach effort to document household plumbing as part of a longer-term lead-service-line mitigation program.
At the water plant, staff described a condensation problem in the raw-water tank room that is corroding plumbing and building finishes; they said a dehumidifier has helped temporarily but an engineer's scope and repair estimate are pending. A $150,000 line item for a well-field study and communications/upgrades was included to explore additional supply and telemetry upgrades.
On wastewater, staff outlined recurring CIP items (sewer-main and manhole rehab) and the AE2S recommendation for a larger lift-station project: roughly $1.5 million for wet-well reconstruction and control upgrades at lift stations 4 and 5, part of a $2.2 million "other improvements" package that would also fund a $250,000 wastewater master plan and model to support MS4 certification and grant applications. Staff said the lift-station work could be funded by bonds or reserves; council asked staff to present funding scenarios.
Council requested that staff return with clearer revenue/expense reconciliations for water funds and options for funding larger wastewater projects before any bond authorization or other formal financing steps.
No formal vote was taken.
