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The chemical 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen, was found in private wells near Bunker Lake Blvd. and Crosstown Blvd.
Countless bacteria can be found in land, water, humans, and animals. Most bacteria are beneficial, serving as food for larger organisms and playing critical roles in natural processes such as organic…
Pretreatment by commercial facilities and other non-domestic wastewater sources removes harmful pollutants before the wastewater is discharged to a municipal sewer system. The U.S. EPA has delegated MPCA the authority to approve pretreatment programs at the local level and oversee statewide pretreatment activities.
Minnesota is a national leader in ensuring healthy air quality. The Clean Air Act requires states to take significant responsibility for preventing and controlling air pollution. States must pass…
Many residents have questions and concerns about loud noises or unpleasant odors that may be associated with industries or businesses in their community.
Community wastewater treatment facilities and their operators play a critical role in maintaining a health community and preserving and protecting our waters.
Ask the MPCA features questions Minnesotans have asked us, on the issues the agency works on, from waste disposal, water and air quality, and chemicals in products to recycling and reuse,…
Permits for wastewater treatment require monthly, quarterly, or annual reporting of discharge monitoring results
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.
Some pollutants attach to suspended particles in the water and subsequently settle out to the bottom sediment. At elevated concentrations, contaminated sediments can contribute to fish…
Green and safer product chemistry is formulating or designing a new product (or reformulating an existing one) to reduce harmful environmental, workplace, human health, and energy use effects over the product's entire life cycle.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requests public comment on a rule that will shape nation-leading restrictions on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Minnesota’s extended producer responsibility bill for packaging, food packaging, and paper products requires a producer responsibility organization to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of these materials.
Groundwater is not a static thing, but moves around in the layers of rock and soil beneath our feet. How does this affect the work to treat contaminated groundwater and protect drinking water?
Perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene (PCE or Perc) is chlorinated solvent used in a variety of processes as a solvent and degreaser. When released in the environment, some PCE will evaporate…
Minnesota rules require many facilities that produce air emissions to conduct performance testing.
MPCA's compliance and enforcement program tracks how well wastewater treatment facilities are complying with their permits and takes enforcement actions when necessary.
Minnesota rules identify 16 standing beneficial uses for which waste generators or end users can simply follow the applicable rules without contacting the MPCA.
Finding ways to keep stormwater on land and let it soak into the ground can lessen the negative effects on water quality from stormwater.
Tailings basin piping leaked wastewater and about 11,500 cubic feet of tailings materials over nearly half an acre, including a nearby wetland in May 2023 due to inadequate operation and maintenance of the tailings basin pipeline at the company’s facility in Virginia, Minn.