Nitrogen

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Municipal WWTFs are being requested to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in relation to the first phase of the PFAS Monitoring Plan, which is part of Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint.

Mercury

Some NPDES permits will require that you submit a mercury minimization plan. These documents may helpful in preparing your plan.

Mercury minimization plan and sector worksheets

Salty discharge

Toxicity

Compliance schedules and Protection of Water Quality Investment Act

MPCA must consider a municipality’s current debt load when developing a compliance schedule to meet a new effluent limitation (Minn. Stat. § 115.456). As a result, some basic financial information must be submitted as part of the municipality’s justification for a proposed schedule. Use the current debt load worksheet to submit this information to the MPCA:

Under the Protection of Water Quality Investment Act (Minn. Stat. § 115.455) a municipality that constructs a POTW to comply with a new or modified effluent limit, to the extent allowable under federal law, could be given a 16-year compliance schedule to comply with a new or modified effluent limit. Learn more:

Chemical additive approvals

Federal and Minnesota law prohibit chemical additive use in amounts that compromise aquatic life or waters protected for human health. If you use chemical additives, you must get approval from the MPCA and follow the procedures in the guidance and calculator documents. Information regarding banned or pre-approved chemical additives can be found in the Chemical additive review guidance. Get helpful tips and see a demonstration of the calculator in the videos linked below.

Water quality trading

Water quality trading is a market-based approach to the protection and restoration of surface waters, another tool to be used in conjunction with existing voluntary, regulatory, and financial assistance programs. Such market-based approaches offer flexibility to regulated entities. Learn more on the Water quality trading page.

Stormwater in NPDES/SDS wastewater permits

Stormwater from major municipal wastewater treatment plants and many types of privately owned facilities that process wastewater is considered industrial stormwater and must be permitted. The following compliance requirements and guidance are for facilities that have incorporated industrial stormwater permit requirements into their NPDES/SDS permit.

Starting with the 2022 annual report, you will submit online using an e-Service.

Spray irrigation

Municipal wastewater reuse

Water treatment plants

Wastewater from drilling