Holmen plans to build $14.5 million wastewater plant over connecting with La Crosse for $2.2 million

Village administrator says rates could go down

HOLMEN, Wis. — Building its own wastewater treatment facility is apparently going to save residents in the Village of Holmen money.

Instead of hooking up with La Crosse’s wastewater treatment plant for a one-time $2.2 million connection fee, Holmen is planning on building a new facility of its own for around $14.5 million, 

“The facility plan suggested that the rates would be approximately $3.00, on the average per customer, less than what regionalization would have been, had we gone that route,” Village of Holmen administrator Heinig suggested. “We expect that the rate for our customer will, not only stay the same, but potentially go down.”

The facility, which Heinig said would phased in at the old facility’s grounds, would be done by 2019. 

A big factor in going this route was because La Crosse was going to start charging Holmen to use its facility, prompting Holmen to this decision.

Along with the village board having to approve the plans, the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources must, as well.