By Jane Friedmann

The city of Motley has agreed to pay a $17,500 fine and take measures to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) found multiple water-quality violations at the facility.

MPCA inspections revealed 46 waste discharge violations between July 2006 and December 2008. The facility was treating twice its permitted levels of total suspended solids and substances, resulting in plant overloading and algae problems.

The agreement requires the city to develop pretreatment plans with Morey's Seafood International and Trident Seafoods Corporation, both significant contributors of high-strength wastewater. The city, which is about 20 miles west of Brainerd, must also upgrade the facility to increase its capacity by Oct. 1, 2012.

Read the MPCA's October 2 report here.

For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, click here.