Water & Wastewater Department

Responsible for providing and treating

potable water and sewage treatment

Water Treatment Facility

The Water Treatment Facility (WTF) is designed to produce 1.5 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD) maximum output with iron and manganese filtration. Combining the system with a 75% blend ratio of Reverse Osmosis (RO) treated water will provide a blended output of 1,200 gallons per minute. The WTF will have a total storage capacity of 524,000 gallons of treated water for distribution to the residents of Redwood Falls and commercial users.

As indicated on the water quality graph on the back panel of this brochure, the WTF will meet both Tier 1 and Tier 2 drinking water standards as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). As with the old WTF, Tier 1 standards will be met. The WTF will also meet Tier 2 standards by significantly reducing: sulfate levels from 800 parts per million (ppm) to 250 ppm, total dissolved solids (TDS) from 1,500 ppm to approximately 400 ppm, and as a by product of the RO process, hardness will be reduced from 59 grains to 12-13 grains.

Redwood Falls Public Works Crew

Redwood Falls Facility Plan Review

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued new phosphorus limit restrictions to the City of Redwood Falls.  These restrictions are to meet the MPCA mandated River Eutrophication Standards or “RES” imposed by the State and EPA.  The City is also under negotiations with the MPCA to renew the City’s 5-year wastewater permit which will require compliance with the new limits.  With the permit, the MPCA allows the development of a compliance schedule.  The City of Redwood Falls is moving to implement the recommendations of the following report and reach compliance within the next 6-7 years.

This report provides the City of Redwood Falls, Minnesota with the recommendations for wastewater treatment facility improvements to achieve compliance with current and future phosphorus discharge limits for total phosphorus discharge. Recommendations are based on the input from City Staff and an evaluation of the existing facility in accordance with current design practices.

Click here to download the Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan

Tom Stough
Water/Wastewater Superintendent
City of Redwood Falls Water/Wastewater Department 

After-Hours Contact
Redwood County Dispatch 
507-637-4036

What is the Water Quality in Redwood Falls?

Drinking Water

Green Components

The WTF is designed to meet projected consumption for the life of the plant. But just in case, it was also designed for expansion in case it is needed with a knock out wall that will enable the addition of a mirror image of the facility, eliminating future relocation difficulties and maximizing lot usage. As shown, the WTF will also reduce the amount of salt needed for water softening in homes and reduce the amount of chlorides from reaching the Minnesota River through the waste water discharge. In addition, the WTF was smartly green designed with these additional features:

  • The addition of the reclaim tank will reclaim 85% of the back wash water saving 4 million gallons of water per year savings.
  • Two“Hi-Efficiency” Boilers are incorporated into the project for heating and will save $800.00 in annual energy costs.
  • Low Energy Reverse Osmosis (LE) Membranes are being installed with this project. These membranes require lower pressures for filtration saving energy and replacement costs of pumps for an annual savings of $13,590.00.
  • High Efficiency Motors will be installed and have a NEMA “Premium Efficiency” rating which is the highest efficiency stan- dard on the market today resulting in lower power consumption and a projected annual savings of $1,100.00.
  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s) are being installed on a majority of the large process pumps. The VFD’s provide adjustable pumping speeds to allow the plant control system to closely match consumption (demand). The conservatively projected annual savings will be $2,900.00.
  • “Going Green” pays off in the long run. The total projected annual savings of these “Green Components” are $31,390.00.The components qualified the project for an “ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Green Grant” of $167,000.00.
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