Recommended budget includes funds for accelerated infrastructure investment

As part of the City of Dubuque’s commitment to fostering economic growth and facilitating private investment, City officials are addressing sanitary sewer capacity constraints in several areas of the community. Infrastructure investments are under way and more are planned to enable continued development. Initial infrastructure investments are beginning within the Catfish Creek sewershed in western and southern portions of Dubuque.

Dubuque has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, leading to job creation, business expansion, and new developments. To prepare for and support this growth, the City has invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the years in industrial parks, transportation networks, business incentives, and public utilities. However, the pace of development has exceeded the capacity of the sanitary sewer collection system.

Recognizing the age of Dubuque’s sewer infrastructure—much of which was installed 60-100 years ago—the City has launched a Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Program (SSAMP) to evaluate and plan for necessary system improvements and future growth. Through this initiative, the City has been using advanced modeling and monitoring techniques to assess capacity limitations and develop solutions.

Recent analysis has identified conveyance constraints in several areas within the sanitary sewer collection system. In response, the City plans to invest approximately $130 million over five years to expand sanitary sewer capacity, particularly within the Catfish Creek sewershed. A key project within this effort is the $41 million Old Mill Road Lift Station, which is already under construction and expected to be completed by December 2026. Catfish Creek sewershed collector system capacity improvements are planned to begin immediately following completion of the Old Mill Road Lift Station project.

These improvement projects will support other recent investments in Dubuque’s sanitary sewer system. Since 2013, when the City completed a more than $70 million rebuild of the wastewater treatment facility (Water and Resource Recovery Center), the City has invested over $67 million in sanitary sewer capital improvement projects.

While the upcoming improvement projects are under way, the City will work closely with property owners and developers in the affected areas to explore phased development approaches that minimize additional strain on the system. Interim, project-specific solutions may also be identified to facilitate projects until permanent system improvements are completed. City staff are available to assist property owners and developers with this process and coordination with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on permitting. For more information, call the City of Dubuque Engineering Department at 563.589.4270.

The Dubuque City Council will discuss the proposed sanitary sewer improvements and funding as part of its public budget meeting on Thursday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Historic Federal Building. Residents and stakeholders are invited to participate in person or virtually. Details are available at www.cityofdubuque.org/FY2026budget

A map of the affected Catfish Creek sanitary sewershed is available at https://cityofdubuque.org/DocumentCenter/View/60574/Catfish-Creek-Sewershed-Map