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Wanamingo council flags aging clay sewer lines, readies $1.5 million 2027 street and utility project
Summary
Council engineers told Wanamingo leaders they will televise older clay sanitary sewer lines and update a PASER street rating ahead of a planned 2027 street and utility reconstruction project; cost estimates include $10,000–$15,000 to televise lines and a $1.5 million borrowing cap for the 2027 project.
At its June 8 meeting, the Wanamingo City Council heard from consulting engineer Brandon Theobald of WHKS about aging clay sanitary sewer lines in older parts of the city and preliminary plans for major street and utility work in 2027.
Theobald told the council the city will televise the clay segments east and west of MN TH 57 to document condition and quantify groundwater inflow and infiltration. He estimated televising costs at $10,000–$15,000 and said only clay lines — not newer PVC mains — will be inspected because PVC has shown little infiltration.
“The clay lines have been a City Council concern since the early 2000s,” Mayor Ryan Holmes said during the discussion, framing the work as long-standing and necessary before the regional wastewater collection system is tied in.
Theobald also recommended updating the PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) report that guides maintenance and reconstruction choices such as crack filling, chip sealing, mill/overlay or full reconstruction; he estimated the PASER update would cost about $5,000. He described a planned 2027 roadway and utility improvement project with a maximum borrowing budget of $1.5 million, including $300,000 in cash for the Riverside Park parking lot and ballfield entrance, and said recent full-reconstruction cost estimates are on the order of $1,000 per foot.
Councilmember Jeremiah Flotterud pressed for clarity on which clay runs would be televised and warned that unaddressed inflow and infiltration will increase residents’ sewer bills once the regional facility and collection lines come online. Administrator Michael Boulton said televising costs would be paid from the sanitary sewer fund and that PASER work would come from the street portion of the general fund. The council agreed to proceed with the proposed steps and to continue conversations later in the summer and early fall.
Next steps: the council authorized staff to pursue televising and the PASER update, with the understanding additional budget conversations and project scoping will follow before any borrowing for the 2027 project.
