Woodbury Lift Station

Facility background

Built in 2005, Woodbury Lift Station collects wastewater from Woodbury and Lake Elmo and pumps it to the Eagles Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cottage Grove. This pumping process occasionally creates odors. 
 

Update on our actions to minimize odors 

  • Delivery of the temporary portable carbon unit we ordered is delayed, until at least late July. We will install it as soon as parts arrive. 
  • To better remove odors using the existing biofilter, we cleaned the air pipes and increased water flow in June. 
  • We continue designing a permanent carbon unit to replace the portable unit in 2024. 

Working to minimize odors 

Thank you to everyone who has alerted us to odors. The Metropolitan Council wants you to enjoy being outside and having your windows open. We have these taken actions to minimize odors: 

  • Operating a biofilter and control systems
  • Sealed hatches 
  • Planted trees to create windbreaks 
  • Evaluated the system and set goals 
 

Plans to do more  

We are planning these additional actions:  

  • Replace the biofilter, that has plugged and reduced efficiency, with a temporary portable carbon unit in spring 2023  
  • Design and install a permanent carbon unit to replace the portable unit 
  • Install a new air-tight hatch 
  • Continue monitoring and report results to the neighborhood yearly 
  • Make changes to meet goals, as needed 

What is a lift station?

The Woodbury Lift Station in your neighborhood is part of the Twin Cities metro area wastewater collection and treatment system, operated by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services.

To learn more about how lift stations work, watch this short video:
How it Works

Report Odors

Metropolitan Council
Environmental Services
651-602-4511