Implementation Grants for Wastewater Resilience in Minnesota

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is offering $10 million in grants to communities for projects that prepare local wastewater infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, specifically focusing on protecting water quality and increasing resilience. While the request mentions "foundation mission alignment" and "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change," the provided information is from the MPCA, a governmental agency, and not a private foundation. Therefore, the description will focus on the MPCA's objectives as outlined in the grant. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are Tribal nations and local governmental units (LGUs) within Minnesota, including cities, counties, townships, soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), water management organizations (WMOs), watershed districts (WDs), regional development commissions (RDCs), and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The impact goals are to enhance the resilience of wastewater infrastructure against climate change impacts and improve water quality across the state. This initiative aims to equip communities with the necessary resources to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events on their wastewater systems. The program prioritizes several key areas for project proposals. These include asset hardening for resilience, such as electrical work to protect lift stations and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from power outages, and overland flooding protection for WWTPs from rising streams. Treatment system resilience is also a focus, with support for expanding preliminary treatment units, constructing flow equalization basins, and upgrading lift stations. Additionally, the grant encourages projects related to collection system resilience, such as public purchase of inflow and infiltration (I&I) detection equipment and rehabilitation of access covers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in the vulnerability of wastewater infrastructure to climate-related hazards, improved capacity to handle extreme weather events, and a decrease in the incidence of basement backups and human contact with wastewater. Projects focusing on wastewater system energy and water efficiency are also encouraged, aiming for measurable reductions in energy and/or water consumption through process and equipment upgrades, and conversion to renewable energy sources. Public recycling and water reuse projects that replace potable with non-potable water are also supported, contributing to overall water resource management and sustainability.