CITY OF HASTINGS
PUBLIC NOTICE
Date: August 7, 2025
To: All Interested Citizens, Organizations and Government Agencies
From: Sara Mollamohammada, Environmental Review Engineer
Drinking Water Protection Section Environmental Health Division
Subject: Drinking Water System Project Loan Applicant: City of Hastings Loan Project No.: 1190012-1
The City of Hastings is applying for a construction loan under the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) drinking water revolving fund program and is, therefore, subject to the state environmental review process. This notice is to advise the public that MDH staff has reviewed the proposed project and has determined that preparing an Environmental Assessment Worksheet is not required.
The loan applicant has solicited public comment on potential environmental consequences. After reviewing any comments received, we conclude that construction and project implementation will lead to no significant environmental impact.
The environmental summary included with this notice provides information on the existing and proposed drinking water infrastructure and associated environmental considerations. If there are comments about this environmental review process, they must be received within 15 days. They should be submitted to:
Sara Mollamohammada
Minnesota Department of Health
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975
RE:SM
Environmental Summary
DRINKING WATER REVOLVING LOAN FUND
Project Name: Hastings Water Treatment Plant No. 1 (Eastern Water Treatment Plant) DWRF
Project Number: 1190012-1
Project Proposer
City of Hastings
c/o Dan Wietecha, City Administrator Hastings City Hall
101 East Fourth Street Hastings, Minnesota 55033
Project Location - Legal Description
SE ¼ of SW ¼ of Section 34, Township 115N, Range 17W City of Hastings, Minnesota
Dakota County
Present Water System, Need, and Selected Alternative
The City of Hastings’ existing water system includes six wells, a nitrate removal plant, chemical addition for chlorine and fluoride, two elevated storage tanks, one ground storage tank, and a distribution system that serves all developed properties within the city’s corporate limits.
The Minnesota Department of Health and the City of Hastings have detected PFAS in the city’s raw water supply, in addition to nitrate, which was already known to be present. The city is proposing to construct a water treatment plant that utilizes granular activated carbon and ion exchange technology to remove PFAS and nitrate from three of its wells. The project site will include the water treatment building, associated bays and a stormwater management basin.
Environmental Impacts
The primary impacts of the project are short-term construction-related disturbances, such as dust and noise. These temporary impacts will be mitigated through standard construction practices. Effective soil erosion and dust control measures will be implemented as often as necessary to prevent any dust or erosion that could damage property, harm vegetation or wildlife, affect adjacent lands or surface water bodies, or create a nuisance to nearby. The
project is expected to generate negligible noise from the indoor generator and negligible odor from the overhead chemical room vents.
State-endangered species and species of special concern near the project area include Bell’s Vireo and Blanchard’s Cricket Frog. The project’s disturbance area does not contain suitable habitat for either species; therefore, no adverse impacts are anticipated.
Federally listed species near the project area include Higgins Eye (early mussel), Whooping Crane, Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Tricolored Bat, Salamander Mussel, Western Regal Fritillary, and Monarch Butterfly. The project area does not provide suitable habitat for any of these species. Based on the determination key evaluated through IPaC, the proposed actions are expected to have no effect on federally listed endangered species. Additionally, no tree removal is proposed.
The project is not expected to result in any direct impacts (other than those listed above) to: threatened or endangered plant or animal species or their habitats; wetlands; flood plains; nearby farmland; historic, architectural, cultural, or archaeological features; shore lands; or air quality non-attainment areas.
Public Participation Program
The City of Hastings published the environmental review public notice in the local newspaper on February 20, 2025, and previously shared the conceptual plans for the project at a community meeting held on May 9, 2024. No comments were received.
Sara Mollamohammada Environmental Review Engineer Minnesota Department of Health Drinking Water Protection Section
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975 651-539-3010
sara.mollamohammada@state.mn.us
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