Cohasset Sanitary Sewer Project

City of Cohasset County Road 76 Sanitary Sewer Extension

The City of Cohasset is advancing the County Road 76 Sanitary Sewer Extension to provide municipal wastewater service to properties along County Road 76 and surrounding residential areas near Pokegama Lake. The project is intended to replace individual septic systems with a managed public sanitary sewer system that supports long-term wastewater management, protects nearby water resources, and provides reliable utility service for existing development.

Similar to other regional clean water infrastructure efforts, this project is focused on areas where private septic systems can be difficult to maintain or replace because of lot size, groundwater, shoreland conditions, existing development, and proximity to lakes, wetlands, and drainage corridors. The City is currently evaluating design details, construction phasing, funding, and property coordination needs.

Project Overview

The proposed sanitary sewer extension is planned to begin near existing sanitary sewer infrastructure in the vicinity of the Cohasset Industrial Park and extend south before crossing County Road 76 at the City Boundary and extending Northwest along County Road 76 toward the Chisholm Trail area. The project may include sanitary sewer main, manholes, service stubs, future connection points, and related infrastructure needed to connect the corridor to the public wastewater system.

Future project phases may also include sewer extensions along nearby spur roads, including Chisholm Trail, Old Still Road, MacDonell Road, Dingmann Road, Sipe Road, Winkler Road, and Chickadee Lane. The final service area will be refined as the City completes survey, preliminary design, funding review, easement coordination, and public outreach.

Why the Project Is Needed

Many properties in the project area currently rely on individual septic systems. Over time, these systems can become difficult and/or expensive to maintain, repair, or replace due to existing site constraints, including limited lot area, nearby wells, wetlands, shoreland setbacks, groundwater conditions, and proximity to surface waters. In areas near lakes and drainage corridors, failing or noncompliant septic systems can increase the risk of nutrients, bacteria, and other contaminants reaching nearby water resources.

Extending public sanitary sewer service provides a long-term wastewater solution for the corridor and supports the City’s broader goals for water quality protection, public health, orderly utility planning, and coordinated infrastructure improvements.

Proposed Improvements

The project is anticipated to include a combination of collection system improvements, connection infrastructure, and restoration work. Improvements are planned to include:

Sanitary sewer main along County Road 76
Sanitary sewer manholes, service stubs, and future connection points
Lift station, valve vault, and force main improvements
Future sewer extensions on nearby spur roads, depending on funding and final design
Roadway, driveway, trail, drainage, and utility coordination where the sewer work affects existing infrastructure

As the project advances, the City will continue to refine which improvements are included in each phase and how construction will be sequenced to reduce disruption where practical.

Project Status

The County Road 76 Sanitary Sewer Extension is currently in the planning, survey, and preliminary design phase. Field survey work is being completed to document existing roads, utilities, driveways, drainage features, wells, septic systems, property conditions, and other information needed for design. This work will help the City evaluate sewer alignments, service locations, construction limits, and potential property impacts.

Resident Information

Survey crews may be present in the project area during the planning and design phase.
Property owners may be contacted for information about existing wells, septic systems, driveways, utilities, or access needs.
Some properties may require easements or right-of-way coordination before construction can occur.
The City will continue to provide updates as the project schedule, funding, and final scope become clearer.

The City will continue to share information with residents as the project advances. Additional details regarding connection requirements, construction timing, restoration, and potential assessments or fees will be provided when available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be required to connect to the new sewer?
The City is reviewing connection requirements for properties that receive access to public sanitary sewer. Requirements may depend on location, including whether a property is within the shoreland zone, as well as City policy and final project decisions.

Will the project affect my yard, driveway, or access?
Temporary impacts may occur during construction, especially near driveways, road crossings, utilities, and sewer service locations. Specific impacts will be better understood after survey and design are complete.

How will I know if my property is included?
The City will provide additional information as the project area, construction phases, and connection requirements are refined. Residents in the project area should watch for City updates, notices, and future public information opportunities.

If my septic needs to be replaced now or in the near future, what should I do?
The City and County are aware of the project, at this point please hold off on any replacements - however you can let Itasca County environmental services know.