Voyageurs National Park is the nation's only water-based national park, with more than 84,000 acres of water and 134,000 acres of land. The interconnected waterways of the Park provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore the north woods lake country. Unfortunately, those waters are being negatively affected by human impact such as wastewater generation and disposal from existing developments throughout the region. This water quality degradation threatens the long-term health of the ecosystem and economic health of the tourism industry upon which the local economy is based. The Voyageurs National Park Clean Water Joint Powers Board is a collaboration between Koochiching and St. Louis Counties and was established to address the need for improved wastewater treatment in the area.

In 2010, SEH worked with the Joint Powers Board to prepare a Comprehensive Wastewater Plan. This Plan was updated in 2021 to ensure accuracy. A copy of the plan can be found in the Attachments section of this page. The plan outlines four major areas, which are also major access points to Voyageurs National Park. The areas identified are Island View (along the shores of Rainy Lake), Lake Kabetogama, Ash River, and Crane Lake. Priority for improvements in these areas was established based on age and condition of existing septic systems, among other factors. Projects that address the most issues and immediately improve water quality were chosen to be constructed first.

The Kabetogama area consists of a mix of resorts and seasonal and year round lake homes. Many of the parcels are not suitable for on site treatment systems because of small parcel size or poor soils, including the presence of groundwater or rock. The first project in this area was done in the Pucks Point area and was completed in 2017. The project included connection of 27 properties to a main collection system. A wastewater treatment system was constructed to treat the sewage prior to subsurface discharge into new mounds.

The current project at Kabetogama is in Facility Plan Report phase and is focusing on areas K3 and K5-K8 as described in the Sanitary Sewer Comprehensive Plan.

In 2019, Kabetogama Township formed a steering committee to advise and assist the township in the next phase of the township’s community sewer project. After a summer of discussions with their neighbors, a petition drive was organized in the Fall of 2019 resulting in the creation of 5 subordinate service districts. For planning and development purposes, the 4 districts in K5-K8 have been combined and are collectively named the South Shore Subordinate Service District. K3 has been named the State Point Subordinate Service District.

Property owners in these service districts are encouraged to stay informed as the planning process continues by talking to their steering committee representatives and township officials. Property owners can also gain information and provide input at public hearings and public information meetings which will be scheduled at various times throughout the process.