BEMIDJI 鈥� Northern Township is continuing its project to install a sewer system around the northern portion of Lake Bemidji, providing an update on its plans during the township鈥檚 annual meeting on Tuesday.
Just over 50 people crowded into Northern Town Hall to hear the most recent news on the township鈥檚 plans.
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鈥淲hat sparked this was in the last few years there were some septic systems in the area having some issues and some failures,鈥� explained Chris Lahn, a member of the township board, 鈥�(but) this (idea) has been something that鈥檚 been discussed for decades.鈥�
Conversations about putting a sewer system around the lake have been discussed since the 1960s, Lahn shared, with the idea that a large, single system would be easier to maintain and regulate than individual septic systems on each property.
Since the most recent discussions started in 2021, prompted by Ruttger鈥檚 Birchmont Lodge having issues with a failing septic system, several iterations of a plan have been proposed.
Originally a partnership between the city of Bemidji and Northern Township was discussed, where the township would connect to the city鈥檚 water and sewer system for an established fee. However, this fell through in the spring of 2023.
Northern Township has been pursuing installing its own sewer system since then, with the hope of aligning its project with Beltrami County鈥檚 plan to redo County Road 20.
鈥淚f we can combine those two projects, it saves everybody a lot of money,鈥� Lahn said.
While the township had initially considered a pond-type system , that idea has been hampered by the complexity of acquiring the land the township had in mind, which is held in a school trust by the Department of Natural Resources.
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鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of challenges with securing that property. It鈥檚 still an open question, but at this point, it really isn't looking like we could do it with the timing,鈥� Lahn explained.
Now the township has pivoted to a mechanical-package-type system, which would have a smaller footprint and is possible in the faster timeline required.
Securing land for this type of system is also expected to be simpler, with the township anticipating partnering with the county in that effort.
Funding and next steps
The current cost estimate for the project, which would provide sewage services to the entire Northern Township shore of Lake Bemidji, is $19 million.
So far the township has received $5 million as a federal grant and is expecting to receive an additional $1 million in federal funding via an upcoming bill. Even with this funding the township still expects to be responsible for 20% of the project鈥檚 cost, which it might have to bond for.
A major priority for the township will be to acquire more state and federal funding, explained Jess Frenzel, the township board chair.
鈥淲e think we have a very good opportunity to keep (the costs to residents) down if we keep seeking state and federal funding,鈥� he said.
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If efforts to acquire funding are successful, construction on the first phase of the project could begin in 2025 alongside the County Road 20 project. A second phase a year or a few years down the line would complete the system along Northern Township鈥檚 shoreline.
鈥淭he project went from (originally) putting a water and sewer system along the northern side of the lake to protecting 100% of the Northern Township shoreline of Lake Bemidji,鈥� Lahn said. 鈥淭his is a really big deal.鈥�
The current proposal would plan to serve around 350 single-family residences initially, with room to support up to 426 as the township grows.
Properties with a septic system out of compliance would be required to hook up to the new system, but others could elect to connect either immediately or down the line. Details for that process are still under discussion.
With a clear plan ahead of them, members of the township board seemed hopeful about the project鈥檚 future.
鈥淚t鈥檒l be such a benefit to the community,鈥� Lahn said. 鈥淭he main impetus behind all of this is to protect the lake. It鈥檚 very important to us.鈥�
The Trust Project
