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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.
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.
Water quality trades that have been arranged in Minnesota illustrate many opportunities to enhance pollution reduction efforts while offering flexibility and cost savings to regulated municipalities and industries.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is planning amendments to rules governing water quality fees (Minn. R. ch. 7002 and 7083).
Under the federal Clean Water Act, states must designate beneficial uses for all waters and develop water quality standards to protect each use.
Clean Water Partnership loans help local units of government fund projects that protect and restore water quality in lakes, streams, and groundwater aquifers.
For more than 50 years, volunteers have gathered critically important water clarity data on Minnesota lakes and streams.
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…
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 MPCA works with city and county governments, watershed districts, consultants, and others on monitoring, protecting, and restoring water quality. This is a repository of guidance and technical resources for agency partners.
State agencies, counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and many others are engaged in protecting Minnesota lakes.
Guidance and recommendations for local officials dealing with public health issues related to blue-green algae.
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) reflect how agency staff and contracted partners complete agency-funded field activities.
Surface water assessment grants (SWAG) provide local organizations and citizen volunteers with funds to complete the monitoring needed to meet assessment requirements on Minnesota lakes and streams. Assessment is usually the first step in protecting or restoring surface waters.
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,…
Image Although Minnesota is rich in lakes and streams, Lake Superior is easily the most spectacular waterbody in Minnesota. Despite its immense size…
The Clean Water Act established the framework for creating water quality standards and continues to help us protect Minnesota's prized lakes and rivers.
The MPCA's chloride reduction program assists communities and organizations across Minnesota in identifying sources of chloride.
What is the blue-green scum that looks like spilled paint?In lakes that are over-enriched with phosphorus and nitrogen, algae tend to prosper and create algae blooms. Blue-green algae and one type in…
Every two years, MPCA creates a list of impaired waters in the state that do not meet water quality standards.