Utilities
Utilities Department Detail.
Overview
The Utilities Department provides reliable and efficient water, sewage and stormwater systems for Albert Lea.
The department supplies drinking water – an average of 4 million gallons a day – that meets all Minnesota Department of Health standards. The Utilities Department ensures the safety and quality of drinking water by collaborating closely with the health department to regularly test for over 100 contaminants. For detailed information, please refer to the latest drinking water report, which includes resources on copper and lead contamination.
Utilities staff ensure that sewage from thousands of homes and businesses reaches the wastewater treatment plant for processing.
Department staff also manage an extensive stormwater system that drains to local lakes.
Their maintenance efforts include:
- 7,300 water meters
- 1,230 fire hydrants
- 133 miles of water main
- 27 lift stations
- 5 water towers:
- 3 holding 300,000 gallons each
- 1 holding 500,000 gallons
- 1 holding 1 million gallons
- 4 wells, each 300 feet deep
- 57 miles of storm sewer
- 1,916 storm sewer inlets
- 4 storm sewer pumping stations
- 127 miles of sanitary sewer
- 23 sanitary sewer pumping stations
- 2,440 manholes
New Downtown Water Tower
Albert Lea replaced its water tower at the corner of Fountain Street and Newton Avenue in 2023 with an impressive structure standing 200 feet – 20 stories – tall. The original tower was built in 1938. The City Council decided to replace it in order to meet the federal requirement for maintaining enough water supply for 24 hours in case of emergencies like power outages.
The new water tower was also needed for fire protection and economic development. Businesses need a certain level of water on hand – in case of fire – to keep their insurance premiums lower. The City also needed more water pressure for local industries and future expansion.
Additional Resources
For more information
Mitch Johnson
Superintendent
414 Commercial Street
507-377-4361
mjohnson@ci.albertlea.mn.usFAQs
What is the most water that Albert Lea has used?
- Highest recorded usage in a single day: 6,347,000 gallons
- Highest recorded usage in a month: 139,735,000 gallons
- Highest recorded usage in a year: 1,331,395,000 gallons
- Average daily use: 3,500,000 gallons
How do I get water hooked up or transferred to my name?
Call 507-377-4300 during weekdays 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
How do I arrange for repairs to my water or sewer line under the Utility Protection Program?
- Call Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) first at 833-397-0071 to schedule a service call.
- SLWA will assign and dispatch a local, licensed contractor right to your home to handle all covered repairs.
- SLWA answers calls 24 hours a day every day of the year.
- Calling a plumber before SLWA may void the protection plan and delay the repair.
Who do I call to report a water main break or sewer backup?
- Weekdays 7:30 am – 4:00 pm: 507-377-4377
- After hours: Albert Lea Police Department, 507-377-5200 option 5
Hours:
7:30 am-4 pm
