Partner Spotlight:
City of Virginia, Minnesota

Background: The City of Virginia in northern Minnesota has contracted with PeopleService for its wastewater operations for 11 years. 

The Issue: Virginia was in compliance with the state- required phosphorus limit of 0.07 mg/L in its wastewater discharge, so city officials and PeopleService were fully satisfied with the performance of the chemical being used. 

In fact, PeopleService had been conducting trials for eight years to find the best performing chemical that met the 0.07 mg/L limit. “Good enough isn’t ever good enough,” said Region Manager Paul Christensen. 

However, the chosen chemical – though effective – was expensive. City officials asked PeopleService to explore alternative chemicals that were more affordable but would still meet the required 0.07 mg/L phosphorus limit. 

The PeopleService Solution: PeopleService reached out to a supplier it had worked with in the past and received a recommendation for an alternative chemical that would save the city roughly $100,000 a year. In March, PeopleService employees conducted a trial to test its effectiveness. Within a few weeks, it was clear the new chemical was performing well. In fact, they saw readings of as low as 0.02 mg/L, well below the required 0.07 mg/L limit. The new chemical has now been integrated into the wastewater treatment system, meaning cost savings are already accumulating for the city. 

Christensen credited the wastewater plant operators in Virginia – who are PeopleService employees – for their commitment to finding cost solutions for the city while continuing to be excellent stewards of the environment. 

“The operators worked in the best interest of the client and were willing to do the difficult work to try to create savings for them,” he said.

“The operators worked in the best interest of the client and were willing to do the difficult work to try to create savings for them.”

– Paul Christensen
Regional Manager
PeopleService