Saint Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee concluded its statewide tour of Minnesota on Thursday, with visits to sites in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs – including Minnetonka Beach and Mound- to hear about proposed investments in critical water infrastructure projects. Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL – Deephaven) hosted the committee as they learned about proposals to replace the water treatment plant in Minnetonka Beach and construct a new water filtration treatment facility and a new well in Mound.
“Everyone requires access to clean drinking water to live healthy, thriving lives,” said Rep. Morrison. “Our communities need state investment to help them update and replace their aging water infrastructure, and I’ll continue to advocate for these projects' inclusion into a larger, state infrastructure bill next session.”
Despite a small population of only 230 households, Minnetonka Beach recently self-funded a replacement of its water tower and 21,000 feet of water main for $5.1 million. The city is now requesting state help of $4.8 million to replace its more than 60-year-old water treatment plant.
After the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health found that Mound had levels of manganese that exceeded the Health-Based Value, the city was required to advise residents against drinking the water. The city did so and immediately conducted a study of its water treatment needs. The city’s capital investment request of $25 million would address manganese and other problems and update its water infrastructure by adding a filtration plant, developing a new well, upsizing interconnect mains between towers, and closing an 80-year-old well and inactive wells that have high levels of arsenic.
The 2022 legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 31, 2022.
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