News Update: Braham water infrastructure project funded at Capitol

Braham water infrastructure improvements are funded at $10.227 million in a capital investment bill passed May 22 just prior to the end of the 2023 legislative session. The partial funding for the project comes out of the substantial state surplus, allowing for more-immediate access than the typical general obligation borrowing for local capital projects.

"This is a huge win for our community that has put up with aging water infrastructure for decades," said Braham Mayor Nate George. "I thank our local state legislators for drafting the bills and our Outreach Team members who put in many hours to raise awareness and bring results to Braham."

Final design of Braham wastewater treatment plant improvements are already underway with construction expected to start in less than a year. Later project phases will include a replacement of a water well, sewer and water line replacements along with associated street reconstruction, and drinking water system upgrades.

Separate legislation passed earlier provides statewide funding for a new Lead Service Lines replacement program that includes mapping costs for cities to identify parcels served by lead connections - eligible for full replacement at no cost to residential properties.        

Local legislators will be recognized for their efforts on behalf of the city during the Braham Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Day festivities at Freedom Park on Saturday, June 3.

 

Background Information

The City of Braham is asking the state to pay its fair share of needed water infrastructure improvements, replacing old, failing water mains, fragile clay sewer pipes and the inadequate wastewater treatment plant – just as other communities were helped in the past. Estimated costs are rising, now totaling more than $25 million – a burden Braham cannot bare alone. The improvements can start almost immediately if the state provides its share of the cost this year. We enjoy our quality of life in Braham, and protecting our drinking water quality is essential to preserving our way of life. After years of inaction, we need the Legislature and Governor to do their jobs now.  

 

If you would like to support the cause, please contact the state officials listed below and tell them to help Braham with water infrastructure repairs as soon as possible:

 

Sen. Mark Koran – 651-296-6200 or 651-296-5419, Sen.Mark.Koran@senate.mn,

            Legislative Assistant – Melissa Field, melissa.field@senate.mn

 

Rep. Brian Johnson – 800-341-5897, 651-296-4346, Rep.Brian.Johnson@house.mn

            Legislative Assistant – Brandon Swendsen, brandon.swendsen@house.mn

 

Gov. Tim Walz – 800-657-3717, 651-201-3400, Electronic Mail Form - https://mn.gov/governor/contact/

            Staffed office hours are M-F 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Quite often, you'll be asked to leave a message. Please identify yourself and briefly explain your support for improving Braham's water infrastructure. Courteous exchanges will be most helpful to Braham's cause. When making phone calls or sending emails, it will help for you to personalize your message. Our state officials need to hear how this personally affects you. Personalized testimony truly makes a difference. 

 

A few examples:

• There was a water main break on your street, and you had no water inside your home.
• There was a water main break on your street, and you had no water inside your business, so you had to close your doors until the water was turned back on. This resulted in lost income for your business.
• You were taking a shower or giving your child a bath and the water started coming out discolored.
•  You poured yourself a glass of water from your kitchen faucet and you could not drink it because it smelled funny or looked discolored.