$65 Million Wastewater Plant Upgrade and Phosphorus Compliance
La Crosse
Summary
La Crosse's new state discharge permit took effect October 1 with stricter limits, including PFAS monitoring mentioned 105 times in the permit. The plant's biosolids tested at 0.0843 parts per billion against a 20 ppb limit — well under, unlike some neighboring communities.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 12, 2026.
Impact analysis
Stricter limits mean more sampling, chemicals and overtime — though the green steel trial is cutting ferric chloride use by a third.
Everyone who drinks water or uses the river — tighter treatment protects water quality.
Sewer ratepayers, whose bills fund the upgraded operations.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of Public Works - Oct 12, 2026
La Crosse's new state discharge permit took effect October 1 with stricter limits, including PFAS monitoring mentioned 105 times in the permit. The plant's biosolids tested at 0.0843 parts per billion against a 20 ppb limit — well under, unlike some neighboring communities.
Council Planning Meeting - Mar 10, 2026
The wastewater plant finished a $65 million upgrade to meet a near-impossible 0.1 mg/L phosphorus limit — $18 million of it just for filtration. The plant now meets the limit, dries its biosolids (cutting 2,400 semi trips a year to 365), and generates its own electricity from methane.
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