Pine City seeks $7 million in state funding to improve wastewater treatment

Pine City mayor Kent Bombard and city engineer Greg Anderson advocated for state funding to upgrade the city's wastewater treatment ponds on Wednesday.

Bombard and Anderson joined state representative Nathan Nelson in testifying in front of the House Capital Investment Committee, speaking in favor of House File 344.

The bill, authored by Nelson, requests $7 million in state funding for Pine City's wastewater treatment facility.

"The facility serves 1,825 properties across four communities, including Pine City, Henriette, Pokegama Lake Sewer District, and Cross Lake Sewer District, processing wastewater for nearly 30% of southern Pine County," Bombard said.

Bombard added that the facility has not seen significant upgrades in nearly 50 years.

"Improvements will boost performance, reduce operating costs, and install energy efficient equipment, all while improving outflow water quality, protecting the Snake River," he said.

In April, the Pine City Council voted to commission a water and sewer rate study with financial consulting firm Ehlers.

"As a new father, clean water and a healthy environment are deeply personal to me," Bombard said. "This project isn't just about infrastructure. It's about investing in a sustainable future for the next generation."

Anderson explained that the Pine City wastewater pond system is one of the largest in the state, at just over 106 acres.

Improvements would include replacing the screen building with an automated system, and replacing the aeration system with a form of green energy, which Anderson said would likely be solar, and riprapping the banks of the outsides of all the ponds.

Bombard also said that Pine City is working with representatives to secure $3.5 million in federal funding for the project.