The Docket: City of Mankato, state lawmakers push for water infrastructure funding

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Mankato’s Water Resource Recovery Facility treats wastewater for Mankato and its surrounding areas, serving 65,000 residents.

But the building, which is over 60 years old, and its infrastructure are aging.

Now, Mayor Najwa Massad said the facility is in need of funding for building and infrastructure upgrades, and to help make sure the water stays clean.

“If you walk around and you look at it, you’ll see some of the interior is starting to deteriorate, even the exterior with the bricks and so forth, so we need help with that. And the infrastructure inside, the guts of it, all need help,” she said.

On Friday, state and local officials toured the facility in a push for water infrastructure funding in the state’s bonding bill.

Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL - North Mankato) and Rep. Luke Frederick (DFL - Mankato) are authors of the proposal that would flush $30 million into the project.

“Particularly the need around the digestors. That’s where they process the wastewater. They’re already six years past their life expectancy and getting worse and therefore less productive with each year,” Frentz said.

Frentz said not only will the infrastructure cost more money in the future if it’s not fixed soon, but it will also have other impacts.

“We’re worried that we could have a setback and environmental disaster if we don’t repair it,” he added.

“The investments that we can make here are investments toward our future. I don’t just mean us in Mankato. I mean the entire region,” said Frederick.

Massad said the state’s support is important.

“I can’t stress enough the financial help that we need from the state to make this recovery,” she said.

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