Clean Water Fund dollars come from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that Minnesotans approved in 2008. The amendment increased the sales and use tax rate by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales from 2009 through 2034. Approximately 33% of the revenue goes into the Clean Water Fund to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The funds are used for water management activities such as monitoring, watershed characterization and scientific study, planning, and on-the-ground restoration and protection activities.
The Clean Water Fund Interagency Coordination Team (ICT) was formed to coordinate the use of Clean Water Fund dollars for achieving the aims of Clean Water Land and Legacy Act. The ICT includes the seven state agencies involved in protecting water quality:
- Metropolitan Council
- Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Minnesota Public Facilities Authority
Protecting Minnesota from excess nitrate
In January 2026, the ICT subteam on drinking water and groundwater prepared a report that explains how state and regional government agencies are working together to reduce nitrate pollution in Minnesota waters through monitoring and actions.
Reporting on water quality goals
The Clean Water Legacy Act requires that the MPCA report on actions taken in Minnesota’s watersheds to meet water-quality goals and milestones. Significant updates are available by July each year, after state and federal agencies submit data from the previous calendar year.
MPCA activities funded for FY 2026-2027
The Minnesota Legislature appropriated nearly $304 million from the Clean Water fund to water resource activities for fiscal years 2026-2027. The MPCA received $49.2 million to do water quality protection work required by state and federal laws.
Water quality monitoring: $18.9 million
The agency will continue enhanced monitoring and assessment efforts from the previous funding cycle to characterize conditions of our water resources. Intensive watershed monitoring includes biological, chemical, and habitat monitoring in watersheds to assess conditions. Assessments determine if waters are impaired and serve as a basis for further analysis of watershed problems, protection options, and overall watershed planning efforts.
WRAPS and TMDL development: $14.5 million
The MPCA will continue to support local government through updating and reporting progress on watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) that identify the sources of pollution and provide information to help local water planners prioritize and target solutions. WRAPS are developed with local partners to set strategies for impaired waters and unimpaired waters by setting reduction and protection goals and measures to guide state and local government implementation efforts.
Other activities. The funds also support:
- groundwater monitoring and assessment
- septic systems work, including low-income grants
- wastewater and stormwater point-source implementation
- reducing use of road salt and water softener salt