Council adopts 2025 wastewater compliance report; members ask about capital needs and fluoride policy

The Common Council voted to approve the City of Merrill’s 2025 compliance maintenance annual report for the wastewater treatment plant on Tuesday.

During presentation, a speaker summarized the facility status and timeline: "We're 1st year in our 5 year permit," a council speaker said, noting major capital improvements are not immediately required. An alderperson asked, "When would be the next capital improvement on that facility?" The response was that major projects would likely occur in a 5–10 year window unless an unexpected issue arises.

Councilors also asked about fluoride. One councilor asked, "Did you get the fluoride out of our water yet? Are we working on it?" The public works speaker said the city had considered the question in prior hearings and that fluoride remains addressed in the city's ordinance. Any change to the ordinance, the speaker said, would go through the council and would be subject to review by the Department of Natural Resources.

A motion to approve the compliance maintenance report was made and seconded; the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

What happens next: The accepted report records the city's current compliance status under its permit. The council did not schedule immediate capital projects for the plant; any substantial capital work would be planned within the five- to ten-year horizon unless prompted by new inspections or regulatory findings. Changes to fluoride policy require ordinance revision and DNR review.