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Marshall approves joint powers agreement to submit wastewater samples for public health monitoring
Summary
Council authorized a joint powers agreement with the state to receive stipends for wastewater samples used in public-health surveillance; city staff confirmed two 24-hour composite influent samples are submitted weekly and that the state will provide stipend funding.
The Marshall City Council approved a joint powers agreement that allows the city to submit wastewater samples for disease monitoring and receive a stipend from the State of Minnesota.
Councilor Scott presented the item, explaining that a University of Minnesota research project during the COVID-19 pandemic showed wastewater sampling can detect trends that supplement clinical reporting. Scott said the department of health now administers the program and has funding for stipends to participating municipalities. He confirmed the city submits two samples a week from the influent flow, that samples are 24-hour composite grabs taken from the sample container, and that the city has submitted samples since 2020.
Scott recommended entering the agreement so the city can receive the stipend. Craig moved to approve the joint powers agreement; the motion was seconded and passed.
The city did not discuss specific stipend amounts at the meeting. Scott noted engineering expenses are not relevant to this item; questions about sample collection and mechanics were addressed during the presentation.
