St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) today announced $88.6 million in loans and grants for 12 wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects in nine cities throughout the state. Investments will replace nearly 4,000 lead service lines in three cities, among other projects.

The MPFA helps cities replace aging infrastructure and make system improvements to protect public health and improve water quality. Since its inception in 1987, the MPFA has provided nearly $7.7 billion for public infrastructure programs statewide, impacting almost every community in Minnesota.

The MPFA provides funding to local governments to build infrastructure for clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects. Funding for these projects primarily comes from the MPFA's Clean Water Revolving Fund (CWRF) and the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF). Projects can also receive funding from MPFA's Point Source Implementation Grant program, Water Infrastructure Fund and Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program.

"Funding from the MPFA is crucial for towns across Minnesota to invest in public infrastructure that protects public health and the environment," said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Keeping our water clean, drinkable and accessible is a catalyst to economic growth. By investing in the health and well-being of Minnesotans, we are investing in our economy for years to come and helping communities flourish."

Projects and MPFA funding amounts listed below. Funding details for each project are available on the MPFA website.

Amboy, $2,260,300 for improvements to the Amboy Water Treatment plant to address excessive manganese in the water system.

Duluth, $22,075,911 for two projects to replace a total of 704 lead service lines with copper lines.

Elbow Lake, $1,860,764 for upgrades to existing sanitary sewer collection, water distribution and surface infrastructure that is unreliable due to age and current condition.

Marble, $3,008,065 for installation of a new aeration and gravity filter system to treat iron and manganese in the city's wells.

Ortonville, $4,579,281 for two projects, the first to replace portions of the sanitary sewer collection system along Highland Highway, Otto Avenue, Eastvold Avenue, Center Street, Orchard Street and Osen Avenue, and the second to replace portions of the watermain along Highland Highway, Otto Avenue, Eastvold Avenue, Center Street, Orchard Street and Osen Avenue.

Sacred Heart, $7,514,281 for upgrades to the salt softening system and expansion of the biosolids storage facility to accommodate increased waste load.

Saint Paul, $41,940,000 for two projects to replace a total of 2,160 lead service lines with copper lines.

Scandia, $1,878,933 for planning, design and construction of improvements to the existing wastewater treatment facility and a new total nitrogen removal process.

South Saint Paul, $3,483,451 for replacement of 1,040 lead service lines with copper lines.