The City of Hugo is required by the Minnesota Department of Health to amend its Wellhead Protection Plan by March 31, 2029, and has obtained a proposal from Spheros Environmental to complete Part 1 of the amendment for 29400. Part 1 includes developing a hydrogeologic model for city wells 2–6, assessing well and aquifer vulnerability in the Prairie du Chien–Jordan system, delineating the Wellhead Protection Area and Drinking Water Supply Management Area, and preparing a formal report and MDH-required documentation. Council staff recommend approval of Spheros’ proposal and MDH’s scoping decision defines the data and deliverables needed; Part 2, which will address management strategies, will be scoped and contracted separately after Part 1 is done.While Spheros will hold the initial Part 1 work, this is a multi-year regulatory and planning effort that can lead to additional consulting support for Part 2 planning, GIS mapping, public communication, and future capital improvements to protect drinking water sources.

Part 1 focuses on technical hydrogeologic analysis and modeling, including use of existing regional models and local data; Part 2 will later develop land use management strategies within the DWSMA and will likely require separate procurement.