Amid catastrophic flooding estimated to have caused over $50 million in damages in one county alone, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is reporting that nearly 100 wastewater treatment facilities across the state were forced to release untreated or partially treated sewage.
Among the local cities forced to release sewage into area lakes and streams were Owatonna and Waseca. The emergency discharge of water into Clear Lake forced the closure of beaches and boat ramps there as well as at Watkins Lake and Gaiter Lake.
Fortunately, the rapid return of dry and sunny weather enabled the reopening of beaches and lakes sooner than might have been anticipated. By Tuesday, Waseca’s lakes reopened after test results indicated that water complied with state standards.
While assuring the public that while the lakes are now safe for a full range of recreational activities, Waseca County Public Health Director Sarah Berry emphasized that it’s still important to wash oneself with soap and water before and after swimming in any body of public water.
In the end, the closure in Waseca only ended up lasting for four days, but other communities weren’t so lucky. As of Tuesday, a majority of the communities that had been forced to release sewage into the water were continuing to release that sewage.
After a release of sewage into a public body of water has stopped, those communities will then have to wait for the amount of pollution in those bodies of water to slowly dissipate, a process that can be extended by unfavorable weather conditions.
Even in communities where the wastewater treatment system isn’t overwhelmed, public health authorities warn the public to stay away from flood water, as it is often contaminated with manure, industrial effluent and debris and can be a source of waterborne disease.
While residents in a number of communities have been unruly, wading into dangerous floodwaters and putting themselves at risk of getting swept away, Police Chief Penny Vought said that Waseca residents have thankfully done a good job of listening to authorities.
During their famously productive 2023 legislative session, Minnesota Legislators required communities which release or bypass sewage to notify not only the MPCA but towns downstream, giving them time to plan for education and mitigation efforts.
The Legislature also provided $100 million in grant funding to help communities adapt to extreme weather. In Waseca, a high amount of infiltration has led the sanitary sewer system to frequently struggle when confronted by heavy rains.
Though no draining of sewage into the local lakes was necessary last year, that appears to have been more the exception than the rule, due to last year’s extended drought, even though the city has spent millions to try to get a better handle on the situation.
Public Works Director Carl Sonnenberg warned the public that it can’t expect a quick fix to the issues. In the meantime, residents appear to have become accustomed to regular challenges - and ready to quickly return to boating, fishing and joining the beach once given the all-clear.
“It’s been going on for a long time, so it will take a long time to solve the problem,” Sonnenberg said.
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