Wastewater Services

Before 1956, sewage in the City of St. Cloud was not treated. All wastewater from homes and businesses was dumped directly to the Mississippi River without treatment. The City of St. Cloud's first wastewater treatment facility was constructed in 1956 and was located near 4th Avenue South.

In 1972, the federal Clean Water Act allowed for funding to be distributed to communities to build wastewater treatment facilities to protect the health of the nation's waterways.
Aerial Photo of buildings, water tanks, pools of water, and wastewater treatment equipment

Today, the Wastewater Treatment Facility is located in south St. Cloud and services the area communities including St. Augusta, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Waite Park. 
  
Sustainability Initiatives at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

The St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Facility has started several new energy efficiency initiatives. The facility is also producing renewable energy with a 20 kW rooftop solar array, a 220 kW solar array, and a biofuel generator.  Energy projections state that 80% of the Wastewater Treatment Facility's energy demand will come from renewable sources by the year 2018.

You can view the real time production of the Wastewater Treatment Facility's 220 kW solar array by clicking on the photo to the right.
Aerial Photo of the St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Facility and it's Solar Farm

 Award Winning  

The wastewater treatment facility has received many awards for pollution prevention and sustainability related accomplishments. 

  • 2003 Minnesota Governor's Award of Excellence

  •  2004 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Award

  • 2013 EMS Gold Certification - National Biosolids Partnership

  • 2014 EMS Platinum Certification - National Biosolids Partnership

  • 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 MPCA's Operations Award

5 glass figures in the shape of the state of Minnesota on a wooden backing
Collage of St. Cloud Public Utility sites and buildings

Utility of the Future

Saint Cloud was one of 25 water utilities across the country that were recognized in 2017 for the their "leadership in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. 

This Utility of the Future Today recognition celebrates St. Cloud for being a forward-thinking, innovative water utility, that is looking towards the future today.  

2018 Grand Award

The City of Saint Cloud's Energy Efficiency and Biofuel Recovery Project was awarded the Grand Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies. 

This award is given to the year's best engineering achievements, judged on uniqueness; originality; and technical, social and economic value.

Green Generator Equipment outside with blue sky and clouds in background