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The MPCA developed the Wastewater Nitrogen Reduction and Implementation Strategy to decrease the wastewater sector’s nitrogen loads for the protection and restoration of bodies of water in and downstream of Minnesota.
The Zumbro River Watershed covers more than 900,000 acres and reaches parts of six counties in southeast Minnesota (Olmsted, Dodge, Steele, Rice, Goodhue, and Wabasha). Rochester, one of Minnesota's largest cities, is located in the southeast quadrant of the watershed.
Septic tank installation fees and system abandonment
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 northeast region of Minnesota is home to the state’s metallic mining industry. The "Iron Range" has a history of iron ore (“ferrous”) mining dating back to the late 1800s and includes the large…
New major-emitting industrial facilities and major modifications of existing facilities must obtain a permit before construction and include the best pollution-control technology available if they significantly increase emissions.
Minnesota’s air currently meets all federal air quality standards. However, even levels of air pollution below the standards can affect people’s health, including levels currently found in parts of Minnesota.
Minnesota rivers are shrinking in the drought; some have their lowest flows in decades. What will be the long term effects?
The St. Louis River Mercury TMDL will determine mercury reductions needed for lakes and rivers in the St. Louis River watershed.
Pesticide NPDES permit steps to compliance: Terminating pesticide permit
Under the federal Clean Water Act, states must designate beneficial uses for all waters and develop water quality standards to protect each use.
The MPCA has a variety of educational displays, programs, and materials about chloride pollution. We encourage our partners to utilize these resources to engage with their community.
The MPCA closed 118 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2023.
Louisiana-Pacific has been fined $15,775 for stormwater and wetland violations according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation. Louisiana-Pacific operates a wood-board manufacturing facility in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for central and southern Minnesota. The alert runs until 11 p.m. on Thursday, June 12. Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category in central and southern Minnesota, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category in southern Minnesota, which is unhealthy for everyone.The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has…
The MPCA completed 78 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2025, for a total of 146 for the year.
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.
Environmental rules and regulations are essential tools used to protect Minnesota’s environment, setting standards for environmental quality and limits on pollutants that can be discharged from facilities. The MPCA helps protect our environment by writing and enforcing these rules and regulations.
Spilled mercury, even small quantities in the home, should be cleaned up quickly and properly so that people don't come in contact with it or breathe its vapors.