Project Background

 Since the 1960s, discussions about providing municipal services around Lake Bemidji have highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive wastewater system. The urgency of this project is underscored by known system failures, numerous aging septic systems, and small, densely packed parcels with poor soils and a high water table that hinder effective wastewater management. Many lakefront properties were divided into lots over a century ago, making it challenging to accommodate modern septic systems. These outdated systems pose substantial environmental and health risks, threatening the water quality of Lake Bemidji and the broader Mississippi River ecosystem. Further historical context sheds light on why the centralized system has emerged as the most viable solution for our community.

In 1975, Northern Township sent letters to residents to gauge their interest in connecting to the City of Bemidji’s wastewater system. This marked the first significant step toward finding a sustainable solution for managing the township’s wastewater needs. A year later, Stewart and Walker Inc. conducted a study recommending an extension of the city sewer all the way to the golf course, highlighting the growing need for improved wastewater infrastructure, especially for areas surrounding Lake Bemidji.

In 1999, due to several poor conditions for on-site septic systems along a portion of Waville Rd, Northern Township installed a cluster system and created the Waville Subordinate Sewer district. In 2000, KBM conducted a study on the potential of installing further cluster systems around Lake Bemidji. They found that moving away from individual on-site septic systems to a more collective approach could mitigate many negative conditions caused by small, densely packed parcels, poor soils, and a high water table, which limited effective nutrient filtration and hindered wastewater management. The study concluded that cluster systems could significantly improve wastewater management around Lake Bemidji within Northern Township.

In 2005, Northern Township applied for a State Disposal System permit through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to install a treatment plant off Lakewood Drive to serve the Birchmont Drive and Court areas. Once again, the growing density of small, substandard parcels without adequate space lead the discussion for the need for a different wastewater solution. The application, prepared by KBM, signaled further focus on centralized wastewater solutions. Ultimately, this project was abandoned in favor of extending city services from Bemidji which had also become part of the discussion again.

In 2008, the sewer was extended to Birchmont Drive, and the area was annexed into the City of Bemidji’s system. Residents faced significant costs, with an average charge of $21,000 per household. This project set a precedent for the costs associated with extending city services to township areas.

Responding to concerns about failing septic systems on Birchmont Court and the challenges posed by small parcels, Wenck prepared a Comprehensive Assessment Report (CAR) in 2012. The report analyzed three options: replacing individual septic systems, creating a combination of cluster and septic systems, or connecting to the City of Bemidji’s system. The CAR estimated that connection to the city system would cost residents around $26,000 each. While these numbers included both water and sewer, we also have a 2008 estimate from project documents indicating that properties with existing water service, receiving only sewer, were to be assessed at $14,470. Adjusting for Wenck’s factors and accounting for inflation at a conservative rate of 2.69%, this amount would be equivalent to $24,072 today. Based on the CAR findings, regionalization was recommended by local area septic expert Dave Larson and the Greater Bemidji Area Joint Powers Board (GBAJPB) as the best long-term solution. Although a higher-cost option, the increasing density of small, substandard parcels without adequate space for onsite septic systems reinforced the recommendation for a centralized solution as the most environmentally beneficial and optimal for land use.

In early 2022, Northern Township and the City of Bemidji were negotiating an agreement to connect the township to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. However, the City of Bemidji rescinded their offer in May 2023, necessitating an alternative solution. With significant funding already secured and the ongoing need for a comprehensive wastewater system, Northern Township opted to construct a mechanical plant with a smaller footprint. A suitable site was identified on the northeast side of Lake Bemidji on Beltrami County land, providing an ideal location for the new wastewater treatment facility and a willing partner to see this project forward.

The County Road 20 project accelerated the timeline for this wastewater system project, as the opportunity to coordinate with Beltrami County’s concurrent reconstruction plans presented a significant cost-saving advantage. By aligning the sewer project with planned upgrades to storm sewers, curbs, gutters, and a multi-use trail along CSAH 20, Northern Township can potentially save $1.5 million in project costs.

This project has garnered overwhelming support from regional stakeholders, including Beltrami County, the City of Bemidji, Friends of Lake Bemidji, the Mississippi Headwaters Board, the Minnesota Association of Townships, Greater Bemidji, and the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce. In December 2022, Northern Township secured a $5 million grant from the 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funds, followed by an additional $1 million grant in February 2024. These grants are crucial for the project, which has an estimated total cost of $19 million, with phase one projected at $12 million. With these funds, the Township can cover 100% of the mechanical plant installation cost and 40% of the collection system.

With these funds, current resident assessments are estimated to average $14,025—significantly lower than the inflation-adjusted $24,072 estimated for the 2008 Birchmont Dr. project to connect to the Bemidji system. We are continuing efforts to secure additional funding, with the goal of further reducing costs. Ongoing efforts to secure more funding are underway.

The proposed sewer line, approximately 5 miles in length, will run from the Northowoods Access on Lake Bemidji through Lake Bemidji State Park and extend to the Township’s southern border along the east side of the lake. This project aims to connect over 400 residential properties and several key facilities, including Lake Bemidji State Park, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Regional Headquarters, and Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge, to a reliable mechanical plant-based sanitary sewer system.

The primary goals of the system are to protect Lake Bemidji by addressing environmental concerns, support the community’s long-term health and economic vitality, and accommodate future growth and development within Northern Township.