Meeker County Board approved a joint powers agreement Tuesday that provides for inspection of individual septic tank systems within the North Fork Crow River Watershed District.

The agreement between Meeker and Stearns counties and the watershed district also provides the authority to require substandard systems to upgrade. Stearns County, which currently has an inspection program, will provide personnel for the project.

The agreement affects only the portion of Meeker County within the North Fork Crow River Watershed District — Union Grove Township and part of Swede Grove Township. The majority of the district lies inside Stearns County.

Read more from Tuesday's County Board meeting in the March 6 Independent Review.

By Stan Roeser, contributing writer