Thorp to stop accepting septic haulers for two months after DNR notice; council approves wastewater pay application

DPW Shackleton reported that the City of Thorp’s sewage treatment plant failed required testing and the city received a notice of non-compliance from the Department of Natural Resources. The council voted unanimously to stop accepting septic haulers for two months beginning April 1, 2026, to address the compliance issue and protect the plant.

Shackleton told the council that the temporary closure is intended to prevent unpermitted or problematic discharges while staff work on required corrective steps. Mayor Richard Wnek suggested instituting sampling of incoming septic trucks when the plant reopens to guard against future unpermitted substances.

Separately, council approved Resolution 2026-03-01 to accept Pay Application #31 from Staab Construction Corporation for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Project. The minutes state an air release valve was installed at a cost of $6,259; that cost will be reimbursed by Rural Development and therefore will not be an additional expense to the city. The resolution passed by M/M/S (Enkers, Einhorn) with a recorded vote of 4-0.

The two-month suspension of hauler service was approved by M/M/S (Abramczak, Enkers) with a recorded vote of 4-0. The council did not specify in the minutes the precise corrective actions or the testing schedule that must be completed before reopening beyond the sampling suggestion discussed at the meeting.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: the plant will be closed to haulers beginning April 1, 2026, and council directed that precautions such as sampling be considered when service resumes. The minutes do not specify a date for the next compliance report or a deadline for remedial work.