Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater Treatment
WWTF2

600 Erie Road 

Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: 507-537-6776
Fax: 507-537-6201

New Water Softener Optimization and Rebate Program for 2024


WATER TREATMENT FACILITY SOFTENING PROJECT
The City of Marshall’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to reduce the discharge of chlorides into the Redwood River by 2024. A large portion of our chloride discharge comes from water softener salt that is sent into the sanitary sewer collection system which flows to the WWTF and is discharged into the Redwood River. Since chlorides cannot be removed through conventional mechanical treatment systems, the City of Marshall and Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU) worked together and studied various options to attain the chloride reduction. After analysis, it was determined that upgrading MMU’s Water Treatment Plant to produce a softer water was the most efficient method to attain compliance with the required limits set by the MPCA.

The Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU) Water Treatment Plant Softening Enhancement Project began in the fall of 2019 and is nearing completion. Beginning June 1, 2021, MMU will be delivering water at eight (8) grains hardness compared to thirty-five (35) grains hardness as it does today. While the water hardness coming into your property will be reduced, water softener settings will need to be adjusted accordingly to help meet the State mandate. 

Learn more about this project and the importance of properly adjusting your water softener by opening the following documents:

Water Softener Adjustment (PDF)
Project Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)



FACILITY OVERVIEWThe City of Marshall’s Wastewater Facility is designed to treat a peak flow of 8.6 million gallons of wastewater a day and is currently treating an average of 2.8 million gallons a day. The wastewater is a mixture of both domestic and industrial sewage. The wastewater is treated by physical and biological processes prior to being discharge into the Redwood River. Because of the small size of the Redwood River the Facility has to meet some of the state’s most stringent water discharge requirements. The Facility has received numerous commendations over the years for meeting these standards.

SEWER GAS ODOR?If you smell a strong sewer gas smell in your home, you may have a dry trap in your drain system. This usually happens when a drain doesn’t get used very often and dries out, allowing the gas from the City sanitary sewer to back into your drain. This is easily remedied by pouring a gallon of water down all your floor drains, sinks, showers, and laundry tubs. Another cause of sewer gas in a home is a plugged sewer vent pipe. This is a vent located on a home’s roof that is needed for your plumbing system to operate correctly. Common blockages include frost build up, snow, or pests.

TOILETS DRAINING SLOW?Are your toilets slow flushing? It may be that your sewer service is starting to plug up. This is usually a sign that the water can’t drain away fast enough. You can try filling the bathtub with water and drain it while you flush your toilet and run water. This gives the sewer a large flow to purge out your sewer service. If the City sanitary sewer is plugged, you would normally see water coming up your floor drains continually, and your neighbors would be having a back up also.

SUMP PUMPSIt is illegal to have your sump pump connected to the sanitary sewer without a permit. In the spring of the year, the ground is saturated and the flows at the Wastewater Facility are high. When we get a heavy rain, the water from the sump pumps will be more than the sanitary sewers can handle. This causes wastewater to back into basements causing damage and contamination. The water from sump pumps should be directed outside your homes onto the lawn. With freezing weather and potential ice hazards, the city has a Sump Pump Permit Program to allow sump pumps to discharge into the sanitary sewer during the winter months. During the period of November 1st to March 1st, discharge of storm water to the sanitary sewer may be done by permit ONLY. Please apply for an annual permit with the Wastewater Facility Office by calling 507-537-6776 or by submitting your application online at https://mn-ci-marshall.onegov.rtvision.com/core/login.php.
Simply create an account and submit permit application. Payment is check only at this time.

Wastewater Treatment Documents

Lawn Fertilizer