Upgrades the city has been making to Mankato's water treatment plant are designed to conserve energy and minimize costs by drawing more water from surface wells that have high-capacity output with low maintenance. Mankato's surface water well has reduced the city's use of water from deep wells (tapping the Mount Simon aquifer) by about 50 percent.

The city's water reclamation facility continues to provide advanced wastewater treatment, similar to a drinking water plant. Between 1.5 and 2 million gallons of treated wastewater is being used by the Mankato Energy Center for cooling, which saves the city nearly 700 million gallons of water annually. The effort results in an extremely low phosphorus discharge into the Minnesota River. The city is evaluating other ways to use the reclaimed water produced at the water reclamation facility.

Streets will be rebuilt at the current width and the construction of new residential streets at reduced widths. This is expected to save 10 to 30 percent of construction costs. The city compensates for the environmental impacts of capital improvements. For example, if an acre of trees is removed for a capital improvement project, the city will replant an acre of trees.
 

Mankato’s Water Reclamation Project named Minnesota Public Works Association Project of the Year.

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The City’s partnership with Mankato Energy Center to use recycled wastewater protects our ground water resource. The City’s partnership with Mankato Energy Center to use recycled wastewater protects our ground water resource. The effort results in an extremely low phosphorus discharge into the Minnesota River. Citizens will realize a savings of at least $10 million for this first of its kind agreement in Minnesota.

See also...

• Opflow March 2008 features Mankato's Wastewater Plant
• Mankato Water Reclamation Facility

The Eastwood Energy Center is one of the projects within the northeast industrial service district, located in the northeast part of Mankato. The Eastwood Energy Center is an expanded industrial park geared toward a green theme i.e. green stormwater concepts, building designs and native landscaping, to name a few.

Eastwood Energy Industrial Park

Oak Marsh Subdivision is an example of woodland preservation. The Mankato City Council adopted an ordinance to preserve significant wooded areas of the city. The ordinance implements woodland preservation strategies through conservation easements and flexible subdivision design standards to preserve significant stands of trees.

Woodland preservation is one component of the city’s environmental policies and ordinances. Mankato has additional ordinances that address the preservation of ravines and wetlands.

Mankato continues to work on land-use reform with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, encouraging development within city service areas. The goal is to reduce urban sprawl and the amount of driving in the area. Land-use reform strategies include using available services, rather than adding infrastructure; promoting mass transit-oriented development; preserving natural resources, and enhanced storm water treatment using on-site management.

City-owned street lights are being examined based on purpose and effectiveness of lighting. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and induction lighting will also be examined for suitability and such lights could be tested in Mankato's City Center.

City-owned buildings are undergoing initial energy assessments to identify conservation opportunities. Energy cost-saving measures include installation of programmable thermostats and the shutdown and winterization of buildings that are only used in warm months.

City staff members continue to work on diversification and energy-conservation strategies.

The city of Mankato strives to be a good steward of the environment in all service endeavors. Contact us about Mankato's sustainability goal.

City of Mankato Idiling Policy

City of Mankato composting options

City of Mankato Recycling

Make Mankato better by reporting an environmental violation; or, simply ask a question or provide input through our CustomerService tool

Mankato area trails

Mankato is a Tree City USA—The urban forest planning plays a major role in developing the character of a city and extends the value aesthetically, environmentally and economically

Ride the bus with us—Mankato's green jobs (transit drivers)

The power of one—help maintain excellent quality of life and start a neighborhood association

Tree for Life—plant a living memorial and grow the city's urban forest

Water conservation tips — Mankato Water Report

Flowers at the Market -- Jason Bennett

Visit the Farmer's Market in Mankato

Blue Earth County waste and recycling

Arbor Day Foundation—inspire people to plant, nuture and celebrate trees

Mankato area environmentalists

Mankato is a member of Local Governments for Sustainability

Mankato is a member of Minnesota Energy Challenge

United States Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alternative and Advanced Vehicles

U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program

U.S. Department of Energy—energy savers

National Complete Streets—for smart growth

Multi-modal – bike safety for parents, kids and teens

Ride Boldly! Bikes, bicycling and road safety

Sustainable landscaping

Protect the environment—report spills and other violations

Low income assistance

Flowers at the Market -- Jason Bennett

• Climate protection
• Energy
• Efficiency
• Renewables
• Utilities
• Project funding
• Data and reports