Stormwater Program
The surest way to improve water quality in Minnesota is to better manage stormwater. Unmanaged stormwater can have devastating consequences on the quality of lakes, streams and rivers we enjoy. Stormwater often contains oil, chemicals, excess phosphorous, toxic metals, litter, and disease-causing organisms. In addition, stormwater frequently overwhelms streams and rivers, scours streambanks and river bottoms and hurts or eliminates fish and other aquatic organisms.
To better manage stormwater across the state, the MPCA administers the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act in addition to its own State Disposal System requirements. At the MPCA, the Stormwater Program includes three general stormwater permits: the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Permit, the Construction Stormwater Permit and the Industrial Stormwater Permit. Each program administers a general permit (and in some cases, individual permits) that incorporates federal and state requirements for Minnesota stormwater management.
Permit Applications
Construction Stormwater (online)- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
- Multi Sector Industrial Stormwater
Guidance Documents
-
Managing Stormwater Sediment Best Management Practice Guidance for Municipalities (wq-strm4-16) 
Minnesota Stormwater Sediment Removal Guidance video- Construction Stormwater
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
- Multi-Sector Industrial Stormwater Permit
- Minnesota Stormwater Manual Online Wiki — please note that this is a new online manual in a "wiki" that offers quick ways to search for information, provide feedback to the MPCA, and content updates.
