North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District - Wastewater Permit and Antidegradation Preliminary Determination
Comment From:
Matt Cage
6/01/26 @ 5:35 PM
My wife and I live downstream from the proposed sewage treatment plant. The river goes through our property. I have the following questions and comments. Question number 1 how will the new discharge into the Zumbro affect the water level? Especially ...↓during heavy rains. We live next to the flood plain and at different times of high water our driveway is underwater. Will the amount of new water from the collective towns affect flooding. Question number 2 how will the release of treated water affect the temperature of the river downstream? We currently have trout, crayfish, smallmouth bass and a number of minnow species and aquatic insects in the river. All rely on cool clean water. Will this plant have an impact on them. Question 3 is related to question 2 in terms of how will the flow affect oxygen in the river and again those species that live in the river? Question 3 has the project designers taken in account a proposed data center and its potential for adding more flow to the river either through its use or the impermeable ground that will be made due to its buildings and parking lots? Question 4 The draft document said that there were not any springs with in 2 miles of the proposed plant. Is that verified? We have several on our stretch of the river and we are very close to the 2 miles it is stating. Question 5 even though the proposed plant does not affect this but has there been any determination on how the impact of tiling of fields in combination with new water discharge volumes will affect the river flow rate downstream? Question 6 will there be downstream monitoring of water quality of the discharge? Question 7 what is the back up plan when flooding is more than the projected 5 year 25 year or 100 year floods or rainfall totals? Will raw sewage be dumped into the river or will each town have its own back up retention ponds. Question 8 will there be funding set aside for emergencies for downstream concerns like riverbank erosion etc. The general comment we want to make is to make sure that downstream concerns are addressed. Our other comment is that this may make financial sense for cities but is it logical to spend time money and energy to send water north to have it run south?↓
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Comment From:
Aubree Derksen
5/31/26 @ 9:01 PM
I have significant concerns about the timing of the wastewater permit request and the quantity approved. I noticed another comment that brings up a valid question-Rochester's growth is significantly greater than the 4 small farm towns that'll be usin...↓g this facility yet we're getting 4x the water appropriation per/person that Rochester is. That doesn't make sense. Couple that with state demographic data showing that overall state population is growth is slowing if not declining https://www.ruralmn.org/the-state-of-rural-2026/. The MN State Demographic Center predicts that Goodhue County will have a slower population growth than the state average. The whole county only grew by 607 people in 5 years https://mn.gov/deed/assets/goodhue_tcm1045-407638.pdf.
The data center project, Project Skyway, recently got an injunction, lending credit to faulty environmental review and all the comments I submitted on the EAW for this project showing the national lawsuits that Google lies and hides its water usage, the AUAR said there wouldn't be any industrial wastewater but then January's zoning meeting suddenly shows industrial wastewater in unspecified quantities etc. Google's data center was slated to be a user of this facility. Additional worrisome evidence is also found in January's city council packet, https://pineislandmn.gov/vertical/sites/%7B52A5D060-3422-4069-8E86-A961C2752B7F%7D/uploads/A_PACKET_January_20_2026_Regular_Council_Packet.pdf pages 87-132 contain the Development Agreement Pine Island city council made with Google before it was publicly known it was Google, (there was also zero public discussion about this agreement when there should have been and you can watch the livestream of that meeting for confirmation of this fact https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1QgpAazDqk). Notice on p.8 under Article 3 section 3.1 it says "The City confirms that, once the Development Improvements are transferred to the City, the City shall deliver water and wastewater service to the Project in quantities required by on-site operations up to the maximum quantities permitted by the AUAR." The problem there is there was no maximum quantity specified in the AUAR, only one number was given and it was a "conservative estimate." So if the 4x number per/person mentioned isn't for people it must then be for a data center that's hiding it's water usage per it's already documented track record. You'll also notice on p.12 section 3.21 it says "The City will use it's best efforts to cooperate with and support the Developer's and the Owner's efforts to obtain other governmental approvals and incentives. City support may include letters of support for such approvals." The city certainly cannot be trusted to be doing the will of anyone except the developer and Google as it's quite literally written into the agreement for the project that they did final approvals for in January 2026 and the water usage of Project Skyway in the AUAR conveniently brings Pine Island to the cap of it's water permit to the gallon. This development agreement is not yet signed, however, given that Google has been dictating everything from behind the scenes this entire time (see lawsuit, the Stop the Pine Island Data Center facebook page for the released data request documents and contact me by email for which specific emails you can request from the city for your own verification), included in the injunction is also the judge's decision that Pine Island violated the MGDPA (25-CV-25-2298) and Pine Island has certainly been doing the will of Google whether the agreement is signed or not, it is unethical to move forward with the wastewater permit as it is considering Pine Island (aka Google) is the primary authorizer of the NZSD, they knowingly entered into an agreement with Google to ensure that Google gets all the permits it needs for its projects and these WWTF project permit steps came after that agreement was in the mix, you have zero confirmation or reason to believe any numbers provided by Pine Island and zero reason to believe the protection and safety of residents of the 4 communities being served by this WWTF is being held as the guiding factor and that it's not actually the will of Google. Remember that this is public record. The MPCA needs to make an ethical decision and not approve this water permit. The NZPD needs to pause this project, allow the NZPD to reconvene now that they have all the information and re-evaluate water calculations.↓
We welcome the development of a new and upgraded wastewater facility in Zumbrota. The introduction of advanced technologies has the potential to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of wastewater treatment, benefiting our community and en...↓vironment.
However, we remain concerned that critical contaminants, particularly those associated with the planned hyperscale data center development in Pine Island, have not been adequately addressed in the facility's current design and permits. While heavy metals and nutrients are well considered and will be treated, there are several classes of contaminants that are not mentioned at all. For example, PFAS and persistent chemicals. These are very difficult to treat in conventional wastewater plants. They are largely not removed by biological or physical steps and typically require advanced treatment (e.g., activated carbon, ion exchange), which isn't depicted in the schematic included in the Draft NPDES and SDS Permit to North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District, Zumbrota.
It is essential that all potential risks are thoroughly considered to ensure the long-term health and safety of our residents.
Here is a comprehensive list of common and critical contaminants, including molecular-level names, that a wastewater treatment plant should monitor and address when dealing with effluent from a hyperscale, air-cooled data center with contained water systems. I have noted which ones are already addressed in planning documents.
1. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
A broad class of persistent chemicals often found in industrial and firefighting applications. PFAS harm all people but especially kids by accumulating in the body and disrupting critical development. Exposure is linked to weakened immune responses, developmental delays, behavioral changes, hormonal imbalances, and increased risks of childhood cancers like leukemia. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — C7F15COOH
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) — C8HF17O3S
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) — C6F13SO3
HPerfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) — C8F17COOH
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) — C9F19COOH
Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs)GenX chemicals (HFPO-DA)
2. Corrosive and Cooling Chemicals
Often used in cooling and water treatment systems. Low doses of corrosive and cooling chemicals in water harm all people but especially kids primarily by disrupting rapid neurological development, leaching toxic heavy metals into drinking lines, and causing cumulative organ damage over time. Because children have a higher fluid-to-body-weight ratio and developing organ systems, they are particularly vulnerable to chemical exposure. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Ethylene glycol (antifreeze agent) — C2H6O2
Propylene glycol — C3H8O2
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach/disinfectant) — NaOCl
Hydrochloric acid (pH adjustment) — HCl
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, for pH control) — NaOH
Copper sulfate (algaecide/control) — CuSO4
Benzotriazole (corrosion inhibitor) — C6H5N3
Polyphosphates (scale inhibitors) — e.g., Sodium hexametaphosphate (NaPO3)6
Included in the Permit Issuance: Sulfate
3. Heavy Metals
Trace metals from electrical components and materials. Even at low doses in water, heavy metals harm all people but especially kids because their brains and bodies are still developing and their metabolic rates are higher. Toxins disrupt crucial biological processes by displacing essential minerals and causing oxidative cell damage. Because children absorb more of these contaminants relative to their body weight than adults do, low-dose exposure can lead to specific, severe harms. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Chromium (Cr6+) and (Cr3+)Chloride
Included in the Permit Issuance: Copper (Cu2+)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Mercury
Included in the Permit Issuance: Arsenic
Included in the Permit Issuance: Molybdenum
Included in the Permit Issuance: Nickel (Ni2+)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Lead (Pb2+)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Zinc (Zn2+)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Selenium
Included in the Permit Issuance: Cadmium (Cd2+)
4. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Solvents
Used in cleaning or maintenance. Even low doses harm all people but especially kids through neurological damage, organ toxicity, endocrine and immune disruption, and increased cancer risk. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Trichloroethylene (TCE) — C2HCl3
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) — C2Cl4
Benzene — C6H6Toluene — C7H8
Xylene — C8H10
5. Organic Chemicals and Surfactants
Detergents and compounds that impact biological treatment. Even at low doses, organic chemicals and surfactants in water harm kids by disrupting vulnerable, growing biological systems. Because children have developing immune systems, immature brain barriers, and consume more water relative to their body weight, these contaminants pose severe, long-term developmental risks. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS)
Phthalates (plasticizers) e.g., Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) — C24H38O4
Bisphenol A (BPA) — C15H16O2
6. Nutrients
Excess nutrients can cause eutrophication. When these nutrients leach into local groundwater or contaminate reservoir sources, they pose distinct health risks. For example, nitrogen-based compounds like nitrates (which ammonia converts into) can cause "blue-baby syndrome" (methemoglobinemia), a dangerous condition where a baby's blood cannot carry oxygen properly. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Phosphate (PO43−)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Ammonia (NH3 / NH4+)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Nitrate (NO3−)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Nitrite (NO2−)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Phosphorous
7. Suspended Solids and Biological Contaminants
Though not molecular, important. The wastewater facility must test for and treat these contaminants:
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Included in the Permit Issuance: Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Please revisit and revise in depth the current documents to indicate exactly how you will test, treat, and maintain our existing high water quality.↓
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Comment From:
Mike Denney
5/25/26 @ 9:41 AM
If there's a data center to be built close by, the treated water from the sewage treatment plant should be piped to the data center for it to use instead of groundwater. This is related to my earlier comment on why the capacity of this new treatment...↓ plant is over 3X the per person capacity of Rochester's. If it's to handle data center 'wastewater', the design is all wrong. The data center should be accepting clean water from the plant, not sending it wastewater.
Rochester's sewage treatment plant serves 120,000 people (plus thousands of hotel/clinic visitors) and has a capacity of 16 million gallons per day, for a per person capacity of 133 gallons per day. This proposed plant has a capacity of 4.1 million g...↓allons and the population of the four cities is less than 10,000, for a per person capacity of over 400 gallons per person per day.
Growth in these 4 cities not expected to be high. Why is the per person per day capacity more than 3 times the capacity of a faster growing city like Rochester?↓
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Comment From:
Tori Gross
5/25/26 @ 8:50 AM
I'm concerned that the massive data center being planned in Pine Island has not been considered in the design. With this system be able to handle the extra load and contain PFAS that is expected? If not, we are endangering the whole Zumbrot River sys...↓tem by dumping forever chemicals in a river that my family enjoys playing and fishing in. Please take this design more seriously as the treatment of the water in data centers has caused massive issues in other communities, let ours at least plan for the potential destruction before it's too late.↓
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Comment From:
gregory werth
4/01/26 @ 2:33 PM
It is my understanding that the main line from Wanamingo will come into Zumbrota on the west side of town and go through town down west 4th st to the new plant. Is this safe and who is responsible for any damage now or in the future to existing wate...↓r, sewer and gas lines in the street on the proposed route? We've be told they are planning to bore under the street. With this much waste going under an old street and system is this safe and who will pay if something does go wrong?↓
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