Public Works Update

Street Division Paving Project

Autumn Drive
Wedgewood Drive
25th Avenue - Clark to 18th Street NW
Mineral Springs Park - Drive Loop/Parking lot by pavilion

On Tuesday, June 11 the City of Owatonna Street Department will begin milling on Autumn Drive, Wedgewood Drive, 25th Street NW (Clark Drive to 18th Street NW) and Mineral Springs Park (loop and parking lot by the pavilion). Milling is expected to take approximately 3 days. The following week, crews will adjust castings and complete any other miscellaneous repair work. The streets will be paved back beginning Monday, June 24.

We ask that residents keep all parked vehicles off the street and please use an alternate route for travel when crews are present. All dates are subject to change due to weather and other factors. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this project.

Sanitary Sewer Jetting/Cleaning

Jetting consists of using a "Jetter Truck" that carries 1,200 gallons of water and 600 feet of hose to clean sewer mains. The hose is fed down through a manhole into the main sewer lines. Once the hose is in place, a pump is turned on to send water through the hose and out a specialized jetting nozzle that operates at roughly 1200-1800psi. The nozzle is fed upstream to the next manhole (typically 300-350 ft runs) and then pulled back slowly to loosen up and remove the debris that are built up in the pipe. This debris ranges from wipes, sand/grit, grease, and solids. Once the solids are pulled back to the manhole, they are either flushed downstream or vacuumed out into the debris box of the Jetter/vac truck.

The city cleans 20% of the city sewer mains annually by working through these 5 zones. This approach allows staff to clean all main lines in a 5-year cycle.

City residents may experience gurgling noises and the occasional odor. Residents and business owners are advised to fill their drain traps after the jetting is completed in front of their house or business. The vacuum that is created during the cleaning process may pull water out of the traps leaving them dry, which can cause odors.

The 2024 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning is being completed in the Zone 2 section of town, as seen in this map.

Please call the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 507.444.2452 if you have questions or experience any issues.

2024 Street & Utility Project

McKinley Street SW, Anderson Place SW

Major street and utility projects involving varying degrees of reconstruction to street sections, water main and service replacement, sanitary sewer and service connections, several storm sewer structures and pipe construction, and several sections of curb and gutter are planned for 2024. The streets included in this year's project are:

McKinley Street SW: Lilac Avenue to Linn Avenue
Anderson Place SW: McKinley Street to the cul-de-sac

Wencl Construction was awarded the project and it is anticipated to begin June 24.

Check out the 2024 Street & Utility Project Map.

Street Maintenance (Crack Sealing & Seal Coating)

The City of Owatonna annually crack-seals roadways in advance of seal coating. Approximately 4.99 miles are planned for crack sealing and seal coating in 2024. Pearson Bros, Inc of Hanover, Minnesota was awarded the contract and they are anticipated to begin work. A start date has yet to be determined.

2024 Crack Seal & Seal Coating Location Map

Cedar Avenue North Mill & Overlay

A section of North Cedar Avenue requires repairs beyond crack sealing and routine pothole filling. Due to the deteriorating condition, .9 miles of North Cedar Avenue from the bridge south of 11th Avenue to the 26th Street Roundabout are planned to be overlaid. A start date for this project has not been determined.

2024 Overlay Project

4 street segments are planned to be overlayed this construction season.

Rolling Green Drive SE - from Van Buren Avenue SE to Minnesota Avenue
Van Buren Avenue SE - from Havana Road to South Street
Phelps Street - from Harriet Avenue SE to Hillcrest Avenue SE
Paris Place

This project will be completed by a contractor that will do the preparation work and the Owatonna Street Department will do the paving.

Stormwater Projects

The City of Owatonna is in the process of gathering information to complete a comprehensive surface water management plan. Your input and participation are greatly valued as we continue to work on this project.

Community Flood Survey

Have you observed flooding in your neighborhood? Let us know!

Complete this short survey regarding any observed flooding in or around your neighborhood.

Minnesota is getting more rainfall at greater intensity. By sharing your observations, you will help us build a better understanding of how current and future storm events will affect your community.

Pollutant Reduction Strategy

The City of Owatonna is currently working towards achieving phosphorus and sediment reduction goals through various infrastructure enhancement and improvement projects.

Want to learn more about the City’s actions towards reaching the pollution reduction goals? Visit the Owatonna Pollutant Reduction Strategy website which outlines possible sources of pollutants, the City’s pollutant reduction plan, and ways that you can help get involved!

Pollutant reduction goals snapshot phosphorus reduced by 52% sediment reduced by 22%

We are hiring a wastewater equipment maintenance foreman apply at owatonna.gov

Click the photo above for the job description and to apply!