City aims to make Earth Day every day

City News April 24, 2026

While the United States celebrates Earth Day this week, the City of Albert Lea aims to take steps every day to conserve resources and protect the environment:

The city has installed solar projects at the wastewater treatment plant and arena with plans for four more buildings to reduce energy use and save money. The solar array at the wastewater plant, in the photo above, provides about 13% of the electricity used at the plant. At the arena, solar panels on the roof provide about 20% of the facility’s electricity.

Rain gardens throughout the city help reduce flooding by holding back water along with filtering runoff for cleaner lake water.

Everyone can help local lakes by adopting a storm sewer drain through the Shell Rock River Watershed District. Sign up to keep debris out of a drain and receive a free compost permit for the Albert Lea Transfer Station.