Milbank seeks up to $17.5M for wastewater pretreatment and SCADA upgrades; council approves application

The Milbank City Council on Dec. 8 authorized submission of an application for financial assistance up to $17,500,000 for Phase 1 improvements to the wastewater treatment facility, including replacement of the pretreatment building and upgrades to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The resolution (12-8-25B) passed 6-0.

Banner Associates’ Kathryn Schmit said most plant buildings remain usable, but the pretreatment building shows excessive corrosion and the control system is more than 20 years old, with limited spare parts. She summarized two options: Option A (preferred) would construct a new pretreatment building with improved influent pumping and maintenance access; Option B would rehabilitate the existing structure but would be nearly $1 million more expensive because of corrosion and bypass pumping requirements. Schmit warned that "if the SCADA system is not replaced, failure will result in the need for manual operation of the facility and 24 hour staffing." Projected Phase 1 cost for Option A was presented at $17.5 million with a 20% contingency.

First District representative Mason Weidenbach presented user-rate scenarios, saying that "If grant funding is unavailable, user rates could increase to $96 per user," while potential grants could limit increases to about $85–$86 based on a 30-year, 4.0% SRF loan assumption. The council discussed a rate study and phased implementation to reduce impacts on residents and businesses. Consultants estimated design, bidding and construction would mean completion in roughly 3½ to 4 years if funded and scheduled.