wastewater sludge issues stemming from decommissioned landfill discharge
Wastewater sludge disposal and PFAS concerns from an old landfill discharge
Watch for a follow-up agenda item that commits the city to a new sludge disposal method, a grant application with a defined local match, or a contract/borrowing decision tied to landfill leachate treatment.
Typically discussed at City Council Work Session. Check back when the next agenda is published.
City staff told council PFAS is showing up in wastewater sludge, and they suspect leachate from the closed landfill is a major source. The practical pinch is timing: the city says its two main farm partners won’t accept the sludge anymore, and storage is estimated at about 12 months. Staff floated short-term hauling and a roughly $1 million landfill-leachate treatment system, plus a possible state PFAS grant that would still require a 20% local match.
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Staff reported PFAS detected in wastewater solids and identified leachate from the city’s closed landfill as a major suspected source under review.
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Staff said the wastewater plant historically used agricultural land application for sludge disposal, but the city’s two main farm partners notified the city they no longer want to accept the sludge.
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Staff said the city produces about 18,000 cubic yards of sludge per year and has roughly 12 months of storage capacity remaining.
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Staff said the wastewater utility permit requires PFAS testing and submission of a report in July 2026.
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Staff outlined short-term options including private hauling and testing a mix of sludge with street sweepings for use as landfill cover.
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Staff discussed a longer-term option of installing a landfill leachate treatment system estimated at roughly $1 million, and said the DNR is not currently requiring cleanup but could within about five years.
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Staff said the city is considering a new state PFAS grant program that would require a 20% local match.
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No vote was taken; the item was presented as informational only.
City Council Work Session