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The MPCA monitors and assesses lakes around the state to determine if they meet water quality standards.
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.
A training and certification program for evaluating aquatic life in Minnesota’s rivers and streams.
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 MPCA plans to amend water quality standards (Minn. Rules chapter 7050) affecting Class 2 beneficial uses, which protect surface waters for aquatic life and recreation.
The MPCA issued a new air quality permit for this manufacturing facility in White Bear Township.
From the days when raw sewage flowed into rivers and lakes, Minnesota’s water bodies have come a long way. However, there is still work to be done in the restoration and protection of our waters.
Every two years, MPCA creates a list of impaired waters in the state that do not meet water quality standards.
The Clean Water Act established the framework for creating water quality standards and continues to help us protect Minnesota's prized lakes and rivers.
For more than 50 years, volunteers have gathered critically important water clarity data on Minnesota lakes and streams.
To protect human health and the environment, we need to limit the amount of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our waters to safe levels. Safe levels means water can be used for drinking,…
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.
The triennial standards review (TSR) gives the public a formal opportunity to provide wide-ranging comments about water quality standards.
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) reflect how agency staff and contracted partners complete agency-funded field activities.
Minnesota GreenCorps members serving with the City of Minneapolis developed a mini-course for residents about responsible use of deicing salt.
The MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates numerous water pollutants to protect human health and the environment. At the state level, three agencies share the monitoring and control of pollutants:the…
The triennial standards review offers every Minnesotan the opportunity to comment on essentially every water quality standard the agency defines to protect the waters that they drink, swim in, and fish from.
Minnesota rules allow for specific uses (called beneficial uses) of certain materials that otherwise would be classified as solid waste.
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.
Minnesota has enacted laws to end avoidable uses of PFAS in Minnesota by 2032.