State awards $9 million for water projects in four cities.

Byline: Brian Johnson

Battle Lake is a small west-central Minnesota tourist town with trails, lakes, summer cabins, a Civil War museum and an aging water infrastructure system that needs repairs and replacement.

Fortunately for the city, help is on the way.

The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority announced $9 million in funding Tuesday for water infrastructure projects in four Minnesota cities. That includes $4.78 million in low-interest loans and grants for projects in Battle Lake, population 875.

With the funding, the city plans to replace portions of its water main distribution system, rehab portions of its sewer collection system, and replace its main lift station, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Val Martin, Battle Lake's city clerk and treasurer, said the project will replace water infrastructure that dates to 1964. In addition, a new water main loop will ensure uninterrupted service to residents in the event of a breakdown.

"It's a pretty big deal for us," Martin said in an interview. "We could not make it work without the funding."

The latest round of funding also includes $2 million for Albertville (improvements to wastewater treatment facility), $1.59 million for New London (replace and loop water mains along Cedar Street and Third Avenue) and $676,486 for Greenbush (install and loop water mains, hydrants and gate vales in the area of Old Highway 11).

"The...