Wastewater

Wastewater treatment and disposal is an important part of our need to protect and preserve Minnesota's water resources. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency plays an active role in this need through a variety of programs. This Web page is structured to provide rapid access to our assistance and requirements to help us work together to meet this common goal.

Planning

Photo courtesy of Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

• 2008 Small Community Wastewater Needs Report (wq-wwtp1-06)
• A Strategy for Progress (wq-wwtp1-07)
• Facilities Plan Submittal Checklist (wq-wwtp2-02)

Sanitary districts

• Sanitary Districts program (wq-wwtp3-05)
• Checklist for a Complete Petition
• Creation of a Sanitary District Under the Provisions of Minn. Stat. 115.18 to 115.21
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Formation of Sanitary Districts Under Minn. Stat. 115.18 to 115.37
• Regional Wastewater Treatment: Sanitary Districts and Cooperative Agreements

Operation, maintenance, reporting and awards

• Wastewater Operators Award — 2012 Winners (wq-wwtp8-25)
• Wastewater worksheets and spreadsheets for operators
•  Municipalities Having Sewer Systems with Sewage Treatment Plants (published in 1947) (wq-wwtp1-08)
•  Operation and Maintenance Manual Guidelines
• Operation and Maintenance Manual Certificate of Completion
• How to Complete Your Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR)
•  Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report (eDMR) Sign-up and Submittal
• Permit Users Manual
• Operator Award Application/Instructions (wq-wwtp7-25)
• Stabilization Pond Discharge Guidance
  • MPCA Regional Offices
  • Discharge Evaluation Report
• Release Sampling Report (wq-wwtp7-20a)
  
  • Release Sampling Report (wq-wwtp7-20b)

Certification and training

• Need to Know (N2K). The N2K criteria have been developed to help wastewater and collection system operators understand the basic skills necessary to operate a system or run a plant.
  • Need to Know for Wastewater Treatment Facility and Collection System Operators
  • Wastewater Treatment Facilities — Suggested Study Materials, Need to Know Topics
  • Collection System Facilities — Suggested Study Materials, Need to Know Topics
• Wastewater Operator Certification - Frequently Asked Questions
• Wastewater Operator Training Seminars
• Wastewater Operators Award — 2012 Winners (wq-wwtp8-25)
• Large Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (LSTS) Operator Certification
• Other MPCA Training/Workshop/Conferences

Pretreatment

• Wastewater Pretreatment
• Fact Sheet: Recognition For Dental Providers Using Amalgam Removal Equipment
• Example Certificate of Recognition (for providing recognition to dental providers)

Program management decisions

• Program Management Decision on Septage Storage (wq-pmd1-02)
• MPCA's Lab Registration Program

Assistance

MPCA compliance and enforcement staff for wastewater facilities are assigned to specific areas within regions. Check the map below to find the staff person to call for assistance in your area.

Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Facility Compliance and Enforcement Coverage Areas (wq-wwtp1-10)

If you have wastewater questions, send an e-mail to askpca@state.mn.us.