Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in La Crosse public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues in water utilities
$65 Million Wastewater Plant Upgrade and Phosphorus Compliance
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.
Green steel trial at the wastewater plant
The plant is only the second city in the country trialing 'green steel' — steel mill slag — to replace ferric chloride for phosphorus removal. Sixty days in, the plant is running better than ever with a third less chemical, and staff built the feeder in-house for $2,150 instead of a $100,000 system.
Illicit railroad storm sewer connection closed
The railroad piped an unpermitted connection into the city storm sewer at Charles and St. James Streets using substandard materials. Staff closed it off; the railroad must go through the engineering department if it wants to reconnect.
Non-Compliant Utility Service Separations
State PSC rules require every unit in a multi-unit building to have its own shutoff, and shared sewer lines between duplexes must be separated — hitting property owners with $6,000-$10,000 bills, sometimes decades after the fact. Council members are frustrated; staff are testing a right-of-way assessment pilot and pricey remote-shutoff meters ($700 vs $150) as relief options.
Army Corps Flood Risk Management Study Agreement
The city is officially partnering with the Army Corps on a $3 million, three-year study of the North Side levee system — the first at this scale since 1975. It's the gateway to federal funding for actual flood protection projects later.
Water Utility Fleet and Equipment Needs
The water utility kept three trucks it was going to sell because flushing and valve-turning work left crews short on vehicles — cheaper than renting at $2,000 per truck for six months.
2027 Sewer Rate CPI Adjustment
Sewer bills are going up 4%, likely starting December 1 or January 1. The board also ordered a full rate study, with results back in 2027, to figure out longer-term sewer pricing.
Sunset Lane sanitary sewer extensions
The city will extend sewer service to three west-side Sunset Lane properties that can't legally connect to existing sewer lines, funded as a new capital project, plus a $101,995 construction contract.
Xcel Energy gas main replacement in Hintgen Neighborhood
Xcel will dig up streets in the Hintgen Neighborhood for six to eight weeks to relocate and replace its gas main as part of the Losey Boulevard project.
Well House 13 rehabilitation and aging well infrastructure
Well 13, installed in the 1950s, has an unstable biofilm that forces extra chlorine and has pushed disinfection byproducts up. The rehab is a need, not a want, staff said — and Well 21 is next in line, with full casing replacement at up to $500,000 per well the eventual fix.
Metronet Fiber Expansion
A quick, day-or-two fiber conduit project downtown that the board wants kept clear of Oktoberfest weekend for safety and traffic reasons.
Water rate increase effective October 1
The city's water rate application is moving toward a Public Service Commission public hearing. The outcome could change what residents pay for water service.
Shared sewer lateral assessments
The city is considering a public improvement for sanitary sewer laterals on the 900 block of East Avenue S, with costs assessed to the benefited properties. Property owners on that block could face a special assessment bill.
Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Utility Quarterly Update
The Water Utility gave its regular quarterly report to the board — a chance to check in on water system operations and finances.
Storm sewer and highway maintenance easement from Badger Corrugating
The city is acquiring an easement from Badger Corrugating Company so it can maintain storm sewer and highway infrastructure on or near that property. It's a routine land-rights deal that keeps drainage and road maintenance running smoothly.
Main Library microgrid grant pursuit
The city will apply for a state Energy Innovation Grant to help build a microgrid at the Main Library — a step toward keeping a key public building powered during outages and cutting energy costs.