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Long Prairie council approves applying for MPCA variance on sulfate and chloride limits
Summary
Citing infeasible treatment costs, the council unanimously approved applying for a variance to proposed MPCA sulfate and chloride effluent limits, or alternatively using a compliance schedule tied to planned plant upgrades.
The Long Prairie City Council voted March 26 to apply for a variance from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for newly proposed sulfate and chloride effluent limits at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Jim Kreemer moved for the variance application and Council member Lilah Gripne seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
City staff explained that sulfates are naturally occurring in local groundwater and that current treatment technology to remove sulfates and chlorides at the wastewater plant is not feasible at reasonable cost. Staff discussed two options: seek a variance delaying compliance for roughly 10–15 years on affordability grounds, or submit a compliance schedule tied to planned construction so the city meets limits at project completion.
The council did not set a final compliance path beyond the variance motion but approved pursuing the variance application so the city can seek regulatory relief while evaluating long-term engineering and financing options.
