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The Mississippi River - Winona Watershed covers 419,200 acres in the southeast Minnesota counties of Wabasha, Winona, and Olmsted. A majority of the watershed is cropland, with forest and grassland covering large portions as well.

Answers to questions frequently asked by municipalities about management of contaminated sediments in stormwater collection systems that they own and operate.

Chloride is a problem for wastewater facilities and stormwater permittees.

Volunteer-collected data are regularly used in decision-making and conservation efforts. Find a program that excites you and join in.

Clean Water Fund dollars come from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that Minnesotans approved in 2008.

Elk River Landfill, Inc. proposes to expand its existing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill near Elk River.

Complying with the MS4 general permit

Residents' guide to stormwater permitting.

Does it seems like the number of alerts due to wildfires has increased in the past few years? We’ve had 46 air-quality alerts since 2015—34 of those due to wildfire smoke.

Environmental information and permits that affect metal fabrication and finishing businesses.

Environmental information and resources for the biochar industry.

In early 2024, Minnesota became the first U.S. state to establish a product stewardship program for boat wrap, which must provide free collection, transportation, reuse, recycling, and disposal.

The MPCA administers programs that are governed by 45 chapters of rules. The MPCA periodically conducts a “housekeeping” rulemaking to make minor corrections and clarifications to the rules or to repeal rules that have become obsolete.

Residential wood burning has been increasing in Minnesota, both for home heating and recreation.

Wild rice is an important part of the biological community in many Minnesota lakes, streams, and wetlands, and a cultural resource to many, particularly members of the Dakota and Ojibwe Tribal Nations in Minnesota.

The MPCA is committed to engaging broadly with the public and ensuring that residents affected by its decisions have a voice in its processes.

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

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.

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…