The City of Owatonna in southern Minnesota is proposing to expand and upgrade its wastewater treatment facility. The MPCA has drafted a permit for the discharged wastewater that would limit several potential pollutants.
News releases
Underway: MPCA environmental review of Owatonna's wastewater treatment expansion —
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
$100 million in investments account for healthier Sauk River Chain of Lakes; further protection still needed —
Monday, March 1, 2021
New MPCA report cites work by local partners for water quality improvements.
MPCA, Northwestern Minnesota leaders appeal for investment to help communities prepare for extreme weather —
Friday, February 26, 2021
MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop, area lawmakers, local mayors, and representatives from building trades and the insurance industry today made a public appeal to the Legislature to pass a $2.9 million funding proposal that would help communities prepare for extreme rain events and other climate change impacts.
New MPCA report: Cleaner tributaries, less phosphorus in discharges will help reduce algae blooms in Lake of the Woods —
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Findings are the result of state, local and international partners working together to better understand and address excessive algae blooms in this iconic lake.
Air quality alert issued for east-central and southeast Minnesota —
Friday, February 19, 2021
The MPCA has issued an air quality alert due to fine particles for east-central and southeast Minnesota, effective Friday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 21, at 12 p.m. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, St. Cloud, Rochester, Albert Lea, Winona, and the tribal nation of Prairie Island.
MPCA awards market development grants to four Minnesota recycling companies —
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Citing win-win for environment and economy, MPCA awards new market development grants to four Minnesota recycling companies
MPCA, state agencies reveal a statewide blueprint to address PFAS —
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Governor Walz requests $3 million to protect drinking water, farmland, and fish from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
MPCA closes 104 compliance and enforcement cases in second half of 2020 —
Friday, January 29, 2021
The MPCA had 104 closed enforcement cases for air quality, waste, stormwater and wastewater violations in the second half of 2020.
This winter, Minnesotans can do their part to put lakes and streams on a badly needed low-salt diet —
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Snow and ice in the forecast means it’s deicer season. Salt is commonly over-applied, sending too much chloride into our waterways and wreaking havoc for fish and other wildlife.
New water quality reports: Kettle River and Upper St. Croix River watersheds healthy overall but need protection against phosphorus and bacteria threats —
Monday, January 11, 2021
Lakes, rivers, and streams in the Kettle River and Upper St. Croix River watersheds are healthy overall, but restoration and protection efforts must continue to combat water quality threats from phosphorus and bacteria.
U.S. Steel pays $17,550 penalty for wetland damage at its Keetac facility in Keewatin —
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
U.S. Steel’s Keetac facility in Keewatin has paid a $17,550 civil penalty to the MPCA for its failure to prevent sediment from washing into an adjacent wetland at Keetac’s facility on multiple occasions and failure to report the incidents in a timely manner.
Dispose of holiday greens and Christmas trees correctly to protect Minnesota’s urban and rural trees —
Monday, December 21, 2020
Holiday greenery brings joy and delight, but is there a humbug lurking in your décor? Trees and boughs can provide diseases and invasive species from out of state the perfect ride into our landscape.
Minnesota drives forward with clean car standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions —
Friday, December 18, 2020
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced it is moving forward with the rulemaking process to adopt clean car emission standards, similar to those in 14 other states. The MPCA’s Notice of Intent to Adopt Rule will be published in the State Register on Monday, December 21, 2020.
Taracon Precast LLC in rural Clay County pays $18,435 penalty for sediment runoff; lack of required permits, stormwater controls —
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
The MPCA cited the business based on inspections conducted this past summer and after receiving a written complaint. In addition to the civil penalty, the business has completed several corrective actions, including designing a permanent stormwater treatment system for the site.
67 stream segments and 24 lakes in the Des Moines River Basin impaired for swimming and aquatic life —
Monday, December 7, 2020
MPCA, local partners identify recommendations to improve area water quality
Registration for state’s estimated 18,000 feedlots moves to online service —
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Livestock feedlot owners and operators can now register their feedlots and manure storage areas online with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
MPCA reports: Water quality in the Clearwater River Watershed improves because of strong local partnerships —
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
According to two new MPCA reports, many of the waters in the Clearwater River Watershed meet the state’s fishable and swimmable goals.
Minnesota to invest another $400,000 to help companies expand recycling markets —
Monday, November 16, 2020
The MPCA is accepting applications for $400,000 in available grants to help Minnesota organizations increase their use of recycled materials.
MPCA releases draft minor amendment to Water Gremlin’s air permit —
Friday, November 13, 2020
The MPCA released a draft minor amendment to Water Gremlin’s air permit. Water Gremlin has proposed to convert one solvent-based coater to a non-solvent curing process using ultraviolet light.
MPCA requires stringent water quality requirements for Enbridge’s Line 3 project —
Thursday, November 12, 2020
The MPCA today issued its most stringent 401 water quality certification to date to Enbridge Energy for the Line 3 pipeline replacement project. In addition, the MPCA approved the capped air emissions and wastewater permit for Line 3.
MPCA to fund up to 22 new charging stations to make electric vehicles more convenient and climate-friendly —
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
The MPCA announced $170,000 in grants available to help install up to 22 additional dual-port electric vehicle (EV) Level 2 charging stations in public places and workplace locations.
MPCA a step closer on St. Louis River Area of Concern cleanup with Erie Pier Ponds —
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
The MPCA has completed another step towards the cleanup of the Ponds behind Erie Pier project, one of 11 MPCA remediation projects in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.
Northshore Mining seeks water quality certification from MPCA —
Monday, October 19, 2020
The MPCA today released a draft 401 water quality certification for Northshore Mining Company and is asking for public input on the draft certification.
Crown Cork & Seal pays $60,173 for air quality violations in Steele County —
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Crown Cork & Seal, a company that makes packaging products, has agreed to pay a $60,173 civil penalty to the MPCA for air quality violations at its manufacturing facility in Owatonna.
River Country Cooperative pays $15,988 for petroleum storage tank violations in South St. Paul —
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
River Country Cooperative has paid a $15,988 civil penalty to the MPCA for petroleum storage tank violations at its facility in South St. Paul.