The Owatonna Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), a cornerstone of the city's infrastructure, is undergoing a significant facelift that promises to expand its capacity and extend its life. Among the key projects is the replacement of the northeast retaining wall with a more sustainable solution—the Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) wall.

Current assessments have shown that the existing wall cannot support the new design grade without risking structural integrity. The new RSS wall not only adheres to safety protocols but also minimizes disruption to underlying utilities, making it the most cost-effective choice for the city.

Construction of this replacement wall is scheduled to commence on July 7th. However, residents should prepare for a temporary closure of the North Straight River Trail, which will last from six to eight weeks. An official commencement date will be confirmed as July nears.

Concurrently, the third year of the WWTF's ambitious expansion is nearly complete, with a remarkable 94% of the construction work finished. This expansion is pivotal for supporting Owatonna's growth over the next 25 years, nearly doubling the facility's capacity. The expansion included the erection of three new buildings, such as the Membrane Bioreactor and Fine Screen Buildings, crucial for treating increased wastewater volumes.

A few hurdles have delayed the project's completion by 210 days, largely due to delays in sourcing critical electrical components like Motor Control Centers (MCCs). This has shifted key completion dates to October 27, 2025, for substantial completion and January 26, 2026, for final project completion.

As the construction progresses, the focus is now directed at upgrading the solids treatment capabilities, which are crucial for enhancing treatment efficiency.

For those interested in digging deeper into the project specifics, further details can be explored on the facility's official webpage.