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Complying with the MS4 general permit

Water scientists from the MPCA published four watershed reports in 2025, updating the data we need to keep Minnesota’s waters clean and protected.

Image In Minnesota, 2,469 schools serve more than 898,000 K-12 students and employ thousands of teachers and staff. An MPCA study found that Minnesota…

The Clean Water Act established the framework for creating water quality standards and continues to help us protect Minnesota's prized lakes and rivers.

General Waste and Recycling, LLC plans to convert approximately 19 acres of permitted industrial solid waste space in Itasca County so that it can accept nearly 100,000 cubic yards of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year.

To reduce contamination at compost facilities, Minnesota’s compostable product labeling law requires all bags, packaging, and food service products labeled as “compostable” and sold in Minnesota after Jan. 1, 2025, to meet certain requirements.

Environmental information and permits that affect businesses using stationary engines or generators.

The 2025 MPCA annual report on Brownfields celebrated numerous major achievements cleaning up and rehabilitating polluted properties.

State experts anticipate an active summer for air quality alerts with recurring ozone and wildfire smoke events

Minnesota water infrastructure projects in St. Cloud and Pipestone garner EPA’s top awards for innovation, excellence in protecting environment, health.

“Urban wood,” or wood salvaged from cities, suburbs, and towns, is a growing issue in Minnesota because of severe weather, urban expansion, and the emerald ash borer. Rather than burning the trees as waste, a preferred option for dealing with urban wood involves creating durable wood products like furniture, building materials, and wooden décor.

MPCA online services give users online access to apply for permits and licenses, submit required information, and pay fees and invoices.

Feedlot nutrient and manure management

Profile of John Weiss, a volunteer with the MPCA's Volunteer Water Monitoring Program

Wastewater treatment and disposal are important for protecting and preserving Minnesota's water resources. MPCA regulates wastewater treatment activities in Minnesota.

Implementing water quality standards come with tangible costs and benefits. Costs such as taxes to residents, regulated parties, and communities help achieve benefits such as increased property values, tourism, and protecting human health.

Intense storms of late spring can wash soil and other pollutants into rivers. Producers can use several techniques to protect their soil and water quality.

Farmers Grain, LLC, a grain elevator in Thief River Falls, paid $18,120 in fines for pumping contaminated water from their property into the city of Thief River Falls stormwater system.

The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District's Soil Health Farm demonstrates how farmers can benefit from practices that also provide resilience to climate change.

The St. Louis River Mercury TMDL will determine mercury reductions needed for lakes and rivers in the St. Louis River watershed.