Water Treatment Plant Updates

Background:
The City of Mound and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) routinely conduct water analysis testing to monitor water quality.  Recent testing indicated the city’s drinking water supply complies with the Safe Drinking Water Act primary drinking water standards.  However, the testing indicated elevated levels of manganese greater than the MDH recommended health advisory guideline levels. 

Manganese occurs naturally in rocks and soil across Minnesota and is often found in Minnesota ground and surface water. Your body needs some manganese to stay healthy, but too much can be harmful. You can find more information on the MDH webpage about Manganese in Drinking Water.

Long-term Solution: Consider a Mound Water Treatment Plant
As an advocate for the residents of Mound, the City is working on developing a solution that will serve the community today and long into the future while stewarding taxpayer dollars. Construction of a water treatment facility would be the largest capital project the City of Mound has undertaken, and it stretches across the whole community. Careful and thoughtful design work has been completed to deliver this important project while also taking fiscal impacts into consideration. 

Project Timeline:
The City of Mound has worked for several years to solicit funding from State and Federal sources, as well as review existing utility rates and develop a financial management plan for the City to ensure that construction of the plant has a minimal impact as possible on water users and tax payers.
The City has the following timeline for this project in 2026: 
  • Prior to 2026: The City has secured $12.3 million in State and Federal funds towards project costs. 
  • January - May 2026: The City Council requested $30 million in support from the Minnesota Legislature to help construct the facility. 
  • April 2026: A Utility Rate Study Update was provided to the City Council which showed a scenario where the City did not receive funding from the legislature. A video of this City Council meeting can be viewed here. 
  • May 2026: The 2026 legislative session closed, and the City of Mound was not awarded any additional funding towards the project. 
  • May 2026: Water Treatment Infrastructure Project Phase 2 Construction began. This $12 million dollar infrastructure project readies the City's watermain and site area for eventual construction of a water treatment plant. Funding for the project comes from previously secured State and Federal Funds. 
  • Late Summer 2026: The City Council will review final design of the water treatment plant and vote if it should be sent out for construction bids. If sent for bids, the City Council must accept and award a contract at a future City Council meeting. Awarding a bid to a contractor is the final step needed to authorize construction. 
  • Fall 2026: The City Council will approve Utility Rates for 2027 which reflect changes related to Water Treatment Plant costs.
This page will be updated with exact City Council dates once they are set. Project Cost:
Total costs for this project are currently estimated and are subject to change until the City Council accepts a bid for construction. A current engineer's estimate for this project is based on estimated materials cost and similar projects built by other cities. This page will be updated with more information if the project is sent out to bide. 
Estimated Project Costs
Water Treatment Infrastructure Phase 2   $12 million (funding secured) 
Plant Construction  $30 million
Total Cost   $42 million 

What You Should Know: