Public works flags potential permitting and sewer compliance issues; Department of Health to take PFAS samples

Vernon Center’s public works supervisor, Mark Willette, told the council that state permitting authorities have indicated chloride is not an immediate problem, but phosphate and nitrogen limits could be, and PFAS monitoring is a possibility. Willette said he contacted the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and was advised to expect potential changes that could affect the wastewater-treatment plant and its ties to the water system.

"Chloride will not be a problem for now. Phosphate could be a problem. Nitrogen may be a problem, and PFAS monitoring is a possibility," Willette said. He recommended increasing backflushing from twice to three times per week with the current system and suggested budgeting for yearly filter servicing; Mayor Dana Ziegler recommended investigating filter rentals through MRWA.

Willette also raised concerns about noncompliant sewer laterals: homes made compliant during the 2015 project met the prior standard only to the house foundation, but current ordinance requires compliance up to the stack. He said some homes sold since the project have not been updated to today's ordinance and that the city lacks updated camera footage for some laterals; Councilor Lisa Peterson asked staff to compile a complete list and hold workshops to guide homeowners on required work.

The council was told the Department of Health will collect PFAS samples later in the week to verify whether PFAS are present in the city's drinking water; no PFAS results were reported at the meeting.