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Cleanup of ponding areas used over approximately 20 years of sewage treatment,  as overseen by the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission, has launched successfully by all reports.  

Local contractor Peterson Companies is currently putting final touches on the first of five “beds” where solids from the sewage had settled. The sewer treatment commission contracted for one of the five reed beds to be abated at an approximate cost of $265,000 and the invasive plant, phragmites is being taken out of this bed as well.

 The beds are the size of small lakes and the basins were planted with vegetation (reeds) that were meant to help take-up water and help  with the sludge settling process.  

Phragmites was recommended at the time that the treatment plant was built— but this species of the reed has proven to be invasive in the Minnesota landscape.  The non-native form of Phragmites is not allowed to be grown here, because it chokes out beneficial habitat.  It spreads both through seedheads and runners.

The sewer commission last week heard from basin cleanup consultant John Friel,  that Peterson Companies has been experiencing heavier than anticipated product from the reed bed bottoms. The weights for the haul-away portion of the contract (costs) may need to be revised upwards.  The disposal landfill is issuing weigh tickets, so there will be documentation of material handled, Friel added.  

In just a couple days’ of work on site, (see photo) Peterson  Cos. had gotten the “majority” of the reed bed project done.

Plant Manager for Veolia, a private contractor that runs the system for the commission, said the commission has not yet acted on next year’s budget so at this time only the one bed is being addressed.

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