WLSSD Board Approves 2023 Budgets

DULUTH, MN—Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) Board of Directors approved its 2023 operating and capital budgets at its regular Board meeting last night. The Sanitary Board approved a 0% increase in solid waste management fees and a 5.67% increase in wastewater charges as WLSSD navigates increased costs for energy, chemicals and services.

“We are continually challenged by an aging infrastructure and the cost of repair and replacement,” said WLSSD executive director Marianne Bohren.  “Our 2023 budget reflects increases in electrical rates, chemical costs and construction materials.   We continue to emphasize the importance of energy efficiency and resource recovery as long-term strategies to continue to keep wastewater rates affordable for the people and employers in the region.”

The WLSSD Board also approved a 0% increase in solid waste management fees collected to support solid waste programs and services like WLSSD’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Yard Waste Compost Site, Materials Recovery Center, and reuse, recycling and education programs. WLSSD’s Solid Waste Management fees have remained unchanged since 2015.

Governed by a nine-member citizen board, WLSSD is a special purpose subdivision of the State of Minnesota. Its legislative service area includes the cities of Duluth, Cloquet, Carlton, Scanlon, Wrenshall, Hermantown, Proctor, Rice Lake and Thomson; and the rural townships of Silverbrook, Thomson, Twin Lakes, Canosia, Duluth, Grand Lake, Lakewood, Midway and Solway.

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services within a 530 square mile service area and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.

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