Before 1956, wastewater in the City of St. Cloud was not treated. All wastewater from homes and businesses was dumped directly to the Mississippi River without treatment. The City of St. Cloud's first wastewater treatment facility was constructed in 1956 and was located near 4th Avenue South.
In 1972, the federal Clean Water Act allowed for funding to be distributed to communities to build wastewater treatment facilities to protect the health of the nation's waterways.
Today, the Wastewater Treatment Facility is located in south St. Cloud and services the area communities including St. Augusta, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Waite Park.
Sustainability Initiatives at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
The St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Facility has started several new energy efficiency initiatives, and is now producing renewable energy through solar panels and a biofuel generator. In 2018, 87% of the Wastewater Treatment Facility's energy demand came from renewable sources. You can view the real time production of the Wastewater Treatment Facility's 220 kW solar array by clicking on the photo to the right.
Award Winning
The wastewater treatment facility has received many awards for pollution prevention and sustainability related accomplishments.
2003 Minnesota Governor's Award of Excellence
2004 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Award
2013 EMS Gold Certification - National Biosolids Partnership
2014 EMS Platinum Certification - National Biosolids Partnership
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 MPCA's Operations Award
2017, 2018 Utility of the Future Award
2018 League of Minnesota Cities - Sustainable City Award