The Northfield Public Works Department is advocating for the construction of a new Drinking Water Treatment Plant to mitigate
the effects of higher levels of Manganese in city water, and to offer softer water to the community. Earlier this month, the City Council voted to approve those plans.
Construction of such a facility would come at the cost of about $33 million and could increase monthly water bills by more than 200%.
The levels of manganese found in three of the five city wells have been found in some studies to be harmful to small children and infants and could cause developmental problems like Attention Deficit Disorder.
However, certain groups have offered the opinion that a new treatment plant is not necessary and there are other solutions for the issues.
Scott Schiesser, the Director of Sales & Marketing for water treatment company Culligan, said there are “easy” ways to eliminate the higher manganese levels with in-home Point of Entry systems.
Furthermore, according to Schiesser, while the reverse osmosis treatment would be highly effective, it would not create true “soft water,” and public belief that it could, would be detrimental.
“Soft water is one grain of hardness or less. And the plant that is being proposed here in Northfield is not that. It seems like it’s somewhere between five and seven grains. And if I’m under the impression from the communications coming out – if I think that I’m getting soft water, I might be tempted to remove my water treatment equipment.”
Another issue Schiesser raised is the buildup of elements in a decades-old water delivery system like Northfield’s. When the water chemistry is altered through the reverse osmosis process, it is likely that the residual elements in the pipes would be released back into the treated water, thereby nullifying the process and making it moot.
Still another issue is the release of chlorides into the water supply, which are not filtered out by water treatment plants and go on to harm Minnesota’s rivers and lakes. The reverse osmosis process will likely lessen the need for the use of in-home water softener systems, which are a major source of chloride release into the water supply. Schiesser suggested that both the problem of chlorides and manganese can be better alleviated by other, consumer based, solutions. The manganese can be managed with a water softener. And while water softeners produce chlorides, he said that that problem can be mitigated by optimization of the water-softener settings.
City staff is currently searching for alternate means of funding the new treatment plant. No timetable for its construction has been set.
KYMN’s Cait Kelley contributed to this report
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Scott Schiesser can be heard here
Northfield now looking at a bigger picture than Bridge Square
As the City of Northfield continues its evaluation process of its parks, the decision has been made to slow the pace of the Bridge
Square redevelopment to engage more members of the public and what they would like to see in that space, and to also think in larger terms of the riverfront area between 4th and 5th streets.
Community Development Director Teresa Jensen said that Bridge Square already has its own function for different people, be it an area for events, or simply as a quiet park to sit and eat lunch. The idea now is to connect it more to the Riverfront and make better use of the entire space.
“From 4th to 5th, it’s kind of underutilized,” said Jensen. “Right now, we have a strip of grass and parking, and that could be so much more.”
Mayor Rhonda Pownell said she believes it would be a missed opportunity to not look for ways to expand the use of that particular stretch of the riverfront, if not all the riverfront.
“There’s a moment here,” she said, referring to the Bridge Square project as well as the planned 5th and Water Street project. “Things are just coming together and aligning. So, of course, we need to be looking at the area holistically.”
She went on to say that developing that section of the riverfront, both on the East side and on the Ames Park side, could be a boon to the City of Northfield, from a Downtown economic standpoint and from a recruiting standpoint. The fact that much of the Riverfront is not developed translates to untapped potential.
“Think of all the different Minnesota communities that really have strong connectivity along both sides of their river. St. Cloud, Fergus Falls, Rochester, so many other communities, you can experience their riverfront the whole way, from end to end. We have not succeeded in that yet.”
The Bridge Square design and planning will continue with further input from stakeholders like the Riverwalk Market Fair and the Defeat of Jesse James Days while keeping the entirety of the riverfront area in mind.
Pride in the Park set for June 4th
Northfield Public Library is inviting everyone in the Northfield Community and beyond to celebrate with, and show support of,
the LGBTQ+ community at Northfield’s second annual Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 4, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Central Park.
Attendees will be able to visit more than 40 booths from LGBTQ resource organizations, artists and craftspeople, affirming churches, and area businesses and nonprofits. Many booths will offer activities for all ages. There will be several food vendors, and Culligan Ultrapure of Northfield is donating 20 cases of water to keep attendees cool and hydrated.
KYMN will be broadcast live from the event.
“The library has an active role in making Northfield an open, safe, and welcoming community by bringing people together to share spaces and ideas,” said Northfield Director of Library Services, Natalie Draper. “Lifting up and celebrating the stories of all in our community can go a long way toward making people feel seen, included, and truly welcome in Northfield.”
Imminent Brewing will host an after-Pride event in their taproom at 4:30 p.m. with Northfield’s Craig Moxness—otherwise known as “Mrs. Moxie.”
For more information, please visit the Northfield Public Library website at mynpl.org/events.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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