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A water quality variance is a temporary change in a state's water quality standard for a specific pollutant and its relevant criteria, allowing deviation from meeting a water quality-based effluent limit for a particular discharger.
The triennial standards review (TSR) gives the public a formal opportunity to provide wide-ranging comments about water quality standards.
Public input is critical to the work that we do. We invite that input by soliciting comments on agency decisions, holding public informational meetings, and more.
The MPCA completed 78 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2025, for a total of 146 for the year.
Pig’s Eye Dump in Saint Paul has been slated for cleanup and restoration.
Environmental information and permits that affect metal fabrication and finishing businesses.
The MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates water pollutants to protect human health and the environment. Minnesota water quality standards strives to protect water for use, measures health of waters, and guides limits on what regulated facilities can discharge to surface waters.
Environmental information and permits that affect wood-finishing industries.
Northern Iron operates an iron foundry in an environmental justice area in Saint Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood.
The MPCA issued the most recent municipal stormwater general permit (MNR040000) in November 2020.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is planning amendments to rules governing water quality fees (Minn. R. ch. 7002 and 7083).
Nearly all feedlot owners are required to register with the state and update their registration information every four years, unless they have applied for a permit recently. This page includes information about how to register.
Cleveland-Cliffs owns the Minorca Mine northeast of Virginia, Minnesota. The mine’s two taconite mining pits are about one mile southeast of the plant.
This webpage will not only address potential noncompliance issues for air permittees, but it will help inspectors get all of the necessary information to facilities with one link.
From January through March 2025, MPCA air monitoring data showed elevated lead levels that exceeded national ambient air quality standards near the facility. An MPCA inspection of Gopher Resource in spring 2025 confirmed that the source of the elevated lead levels was addressed.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today took another step forward in addressing nitrate pollution statewide by issuing updated water permits for about 1,000 large feedlot operations. These permits take effect when the current ones expire.
Central Bi-Products emitted higher levels of hydrogen sulfide than is allowed, causing odor complaints in the community of Long Prairie and resulting in a $3 million fine. Central Bi-Products has agreed to spend a minimum of $4.4 million on a supplemental environmental project that will improve its wastewater treatment.
The MPCA is committed to engaging broadly with the public and ensuring that residents affected by its decisions have a voice in its processes.
Completed rulemaking for changes to reporting requirements for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
Environmental information and resources for the aggregate industry.