Sartell City Council Approves Feasibility Study, Sets Preliminary Hearing for Water Main Project

(KNSI) – The city of Sartell has taken another major step toward addressing a long-term water distribution issue.

The city council approved a feasibility study and scheduled a preliminary public hearing for its trunk water main project, which will address a long-standing limitation in the South Water Treatment Plant’s distribution system. These actions took place at the council’s meeting on Monday, June 22.

According to City Engineer April Ryan, the plant has only one pipe system feeding the rest of Sartell’s water network, which she said makes it difficult to utilize the plant’s full capacity. The project proposes adding a second water main to create a loop that will provide greater efficiency.

“When we have people using a lot of water during peak demands, the city has had to put in a water ban to help keep up capacity at the plant,” said Ryan. “By approving the feasibility study, we’ll move into the next step of setting a preliminary improvement hearing and letting property owners in the area know there’s a potential project coming.”

The project is to be split into two phases. Phase 1 will cover the first portion of the main, from 19th Avenue South to Victory Avenue, while Phase 2 will extend the main from the plant to 19th Avenue South. If the city moves forward, Phase 1 construction is set to begin in 2027, followed by Phase 2 in 2028.

The project’s total cost is estimated at $5,392,500. Of that, $809,213 will cover soft costs, including preliminary design, easement acquisition, appraisals, construction testing, and construction services. Phase 1 is budgeted at $1,161,976, Phase 2 at $3,333,649, and the remaining $87,662 will be allocated to contingency costs.

Funding is anticipated through Congressionally Funded Projects, a federal process through which members of Congress secure direct allocations for local initiatives. Sartell applied for this funding earlier in the year, with the request having been approved through Congressman Tom Emmer’s office.

Funds are typically available in the middle of the following year, meaning the city could see the money in mid-2027, depending on the federal budget process and the applicable appropriations bill. City staff will continue to monitor the potential funding, with final award announcements expected in fall 2026. If awarded, the allocation would add $1.5 million in funding to the project.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for the council’s July 27 meeting, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

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