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Environmental rules and regulations are essential tools used to protect Minnesota’s environment, setting standards for environmental quality and limits on pollutants that can be discharged from facilities. The MPCA helps protect our environment by writing and enforcing these rules and regulations.
Answers to frequently asked questions about compliance and MPCA's enforcement of environmental rules in Minnesota.
MPCA wastewater staff assigned by county.
The MPCA completed 75 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2024.
The MPCA closed 118 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2023.
MPCA completed 100 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the first half of 2024
The MPCA completed 68 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the first half of 2025.
The MPCA completed 78 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2025, for a total of 146 for the year.
MPCA industrial stormwater staff assigned by county.
An index of biological integrity (IBI) is a particularly powerful tool that provides an accurate measure of the condition of the biological communities and are a direct determinant of the attainment of aquatic life uses.
The AQI was developed to provide a simple, uniform way to report daily air quality conditions.
Image The goal of the MPCA's regulatory programs covering hazardous substances and solid waste is to prevent contamination of land, water, and air by…
Minnesota has enacted laws to end avoidable uses of PFAS in Minnesota by 2032.
The MPCA is planning new rules governing air quality. The main purpose is to adopt new rules to implement and govern regulation of facilities that emit air toxics.
Permits for wastewater treatment require monthly, quarterly, or annual reporting of discharge monitoring results
There are two types of federal air regulations, the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPSs). Either or both regulations may…
State and federal permits and regulations that are designed to protect groundwater and surface water (lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands) apply to specific facilities and processes that could pose…
Guidance for small businesses on reporting air emissions.
Permitted waste facilities, waste utilization projects, and waste haulers in Minnesota must submit regular reports to the MPCA.
As part of the PFAS pollution prevention law called Amara’s Law, manufacturers are required to report intentionally added PFAS in products sold in Minnesota and pay a fee. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended the reporting due date to Sept. 15, 2026.