Robbinsdale Opts for New Water Treatment Plant
The Robbinsdale City Council has decided to move forward with plans for a new water treatment plant.
The city council had considered three options to supply water. One would be to borrow water from Minneapolis at a cost $48 million. Another would be to repair and rehabilitate existing infrastructure, a plan that would cost $19 million. The third option is building a new water treatment plant, which is the least expensive option. A new plant is expected to cost $16 million.
“I for one think that our job up here is to make sure we considered these things,” said Robbinsdale City Council Member Dan Rogan. “And think that think there’s no question that the alternative here that’s being recommended, to build a centralized water treatment plant, to replace the one that’s 60 years old, is the prudent option.” It provides us with hopefully with 60-plus years of a water plant that is going to work well.”
“A Significant Impact”
Robbinsdale currently operates three water plants that treat water from five underground wells in the city. The old plants and wells would be shut down. The city would drill two new wells that would connect to a new centralized treatment plant, which is expected to be located on Lee Avenue at the site of the Robbinsdale School District’s former maintenance building.
“This is going to have a significant impact,” said Robbinsdale Mayor Regan Murphy, during Wednesday’s city council meeting. “Because everyone drinks water.”
The city also explored softening the water, a common ask from residents. However, the city deemed that too expensive and it also raised environmental concerns.
One unanswered question is that the city will also need to build a new, much larger water tower. That issue the city plans to address with residents in the future.
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