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Pine County seeks extra $500,000 from MPCA to continue septic replacement program
Summary
County staff told commissioners an additional $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is available to expand a Clean Water Partnership loan used to replace noncompliant septic systems; staff said the 2024 loan was $750,000 and that program spending to date totaled just over $3.7 million.
County staff reported that Pine County received a 2024 Clean Water Partnership loan from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for $750,000 to help replace noncompliant septic systems. Staff said the program, started in 2016, has steadily assisted homeowners and local contractors and that the 2024 loan would not be sufficient to cover projected demand through the 2026 construction season. The MPCA offered an additional $500,000 amendment; the board voted to authorize the administrator to execute the amendment.
Staff reported program totals to date, stating the program has replaced "2 24" noncompliant systems (transcript wording) at a total cost of just over $3.7 million and said applications typically remain open as contractors and homeowners seek service. Commissioners characterized the program as a high‑value local investment in public health and contractor revenue.
