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Montrose council discusses manganese in water, considers town hall and testing sign-ups
Summary
Council members discussed persistent manganese concerns in local water supplies, acknowledged state testing limits, estimated a treatment solution could cost $30–$40 million, and directed staff to plan an informational meeting and post free, noncertified home-testing sign-ups online.
Council members spent a substantial portion of the meeting addressing resident concerns about manganese in drinking water. Several councilmembers and public-works staff acknowledged that a full treatment solution would be costly; as one councilmember put it, “It's gonna cost 30 to $40,000,000.”
Staff said the Minnesota Department of Health has previously told the city that testing results indicate the water is safe to drink and that the city has posted that testing information on its website. Public-works staff offered free, informal home testing (not a certified lab result) for residents who sign up; staff emphasized those tests are “ballpark” results and not admissible for legal or regulatory proceedings. Council directed staff to gather a clear five‑ or ten‑year cost and tax-rate breakdown and to consider an October informational session or an October/November workshop so residents can better understand options and likely financial impacts.
Council members said they would like to ensure full council participation for a public session and requested staff prepare a budget-impact scenario showing multi‑year tax and rate implications before scheduling a large town-hall event.
