> Water > Wastewater Treatment

St. Croix Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant

The St. Croix Valley Plant is MCES's only facility located on the scenic St. Croix River, a nationally-protected waterway. It was MCES's first facility to use ultra-violet (UV) disinfection during the normal treatment process. The plant was built in 1959 and upgraded or expanded in 1970, 1973 and 1993, and currently treats an average of 3.5 million gallons per day. In 1998 the plant earned a national 'Platinum Award' for five consecutive years of perfect compliance with clean water discharge permits. In 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named the St. Croix Valley Plant the "Best Medium Advanced Facility" in its Great Lakes region (Region 5). The plant tied with one of the other nine regional winners as the top plant in the nation in its category.

The St. Croix Valley Plant has a design capacity to treat 4.5 million gallons per day of wastewater. The plant provides primary, secondary and advanced treatment to wastewater, including the removal of phosphorus from the effluent before discharging it into the St. Croix River. Solids are transported to the Metro Plant for treatment and beneficial use. The plant also utilizes extensive odor control facilities to protect neighbors from odor nuisance.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Information

• Located in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
• Type: Advanced secondary with UV disinfection
• Capacity: 4.5 million gallons per day
• Discharges to: St. Croix River
• Communities served: 3
• Population served: 21,000
• Interceptors to plant: 2 miles

For more information about the St. Croix Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant, please contact Tim O'Donnell at 651-602-1269 or at tim.odonnell@metc.state.mn.us