Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program

Purpose
This program provides loans and grants to assist local governments with project costs associated with replacing non-complying Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) with new individual and small cluster SSTS that will be publicly owned and operated.

Customers and Services
Any governmental unit--including cities, counties, and townships--having jurisdiction over SSTS systems and with a project ranked on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA's) Project Priority List is eligible. Eligible costs include design, construction, land acquisition, and related legal fees. If requested, funds may also be used for technical assistance from the University of Minnesota Extension Service. The Public Facilities Authority (PFA) provides loans for up to 100 percent of eligible costs to replace non-complying SSTS with new systems. A community with median household income below the state average may receive a 50 percent grant.

Measures Reporting period is state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 - June 30 (program was created in 2006)

Funding Source and Allocation
Funding of $1.1M was appropriated in 2006. In 2007, a General Fund amount of $100,000 per year was approved for technical assistance grants. In 2008, an additional $1.5M was appropriated from state bond proceeds for construction loans and grants.

Statutory Authority
-- Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 446A.075

Contact Information
Jeff Freeman, Deputy Director, Public Facilities Authority
Phone: 651.259.7465 or toll-free: 800.657.3858; TTY: 651.296.3900

This information current as of January 2009. For more information on DEED programs, see the State of Minnesota budget pages.