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In karst landscapes, the distinction between groundwater and surface water is blurry.

For more than 50 years, volunteers have gathered critically important water clarity data on Minnesota lakes and streams.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) reflect how agency staff and contracted partners complete agency-funded field activities.

The MPCA will analyze varying background sulfate levels across Minnesota, which could inform our implementation of the wild rice sulfate water quality standard.

Southeastern Minnesota is characterized by an unusual type of geography called karst, where the distinction between groundwater and surface water is blurry.

State and federal permits and regulations that are designed to protect groundwater and surface water (lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands) apply to specific facilities and processes that could pose…

Excess nitrate remains a long-term challenge to manage. In our lakes, rivers, and streams, it is toxic to fish and other aquatic life. In drinking water, it can pose a risk to human health,…

Wild rice is an important part of the biological community in many Minnesota lakes, streams, and wetlands, and a cultural resource to many, particularly members of the Dakota and Ojibwe Tribal Nations in Minnesota.

This committee included a broad range of stakeholders and was charged with providing perspective, input, and advice to the commissioner on MPCA's water fees.

The MPCA 401 certification fills a unique niche in protecting water quality by applying state water quality standards to projects.

Planned amendments to Minn. Rules ch. 7050 affect the Class 1 beneficial use, which protects waters (both surface and groundwater) used as a source for domestic consumption.

The MPCA plans to amend Minnesota Rules chapter 7050, which establishes beneficial uses and water quality standards to protect those uses, and designates where the uses occur in waters of the state.

Water quality standards are frequently adopted statewide or by ecoregions. These standards can include large areas with different types of water, biological communities and natural water chemistries.

A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that drains off of it goes into the same place — a river, stream or lake.

Chloride is a problem for wastewater facilities and stormwater permittees.

State agencies, counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and many others are engaged in protecting Minnesota lakes.

Permits help the MPCA protect the environment.

Protecting and restoring water quality is one of the MPCA's core areas of focus.

Clean Water Fund dollars come from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that Minnesotans approved in 2008.

Every two years, MPCA creates a list of impaired waters in the state that do not meet water quality standards.