![Minnesota Cities Facing Aging Sewer Plants](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/07/Behind-The-Scenes-St.-Cloud-Sewer-System.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Cities Facing Aging Sewer Plants
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Many cities across Minnesota are struggling to finance costly improvements to aging sewer plants while simultaneously meeting tighter environmental standards.
A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report says about 30 percent of wastewater treatment plants in outstate Minnesota are more than 30 years old.
Some cities say that if they invest in updating plants to current standards, they should be given time to meet new regulations that may be enacted in the next few years.
The Legislature directed the agency to draft a rule change that would give cities that upgrade their plants a 16-year break from new environmental regulations. But a judge refused to approve the proposal last month. The agency is considering an appeal.
Environmental groups say the 16-year exception would conflict with the federal
Clean Water Act.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)