Search
Status of total maximum daily load (TMDL) projects in Minnesota.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of more than 100 chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline, and are also present in products made from fossil fuels, such as…
Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant formed through chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ozone can irritate the eyes, nose and throat,…
The MPCA provides workshops and conferences to help solid waste landfill operators get certified and stay up to date.
Owners/operators of construction activity must complete several steps before completing a permit application and beginning construction. These steps also help owners/operators determine their eligibility for coverage under the general permit.
MPCA had approximately $250,000 available to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the use of stage 1 vapor recovery systems at gasoline-dispensing facilities throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota businesses, organizations, and municipalities seeking or holding MPCA wastewater permits are charged two basic types of permit fees: application fees and annual fees.
Excess phosphorus is harming Minnesota waters. Phosphorus comes from both regulated and non-regulated sources. A quarter of Minnesota lakes have high levels of phosphorus, which means that they do…
In Minnesota, wastewater treatment operators must be certified to ensure that facilities meet operational requirements.
Under the federal Clean Water Act, states must designate beneficial uses for all waters and develop water quality standards to protect each use.
Particulate matter (PM) refers to various air particles, including dust, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets that range in size from less than 0.1 microns in diameter (smaller than a single bacterium)…
The MPCA completed 68 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the first half of 2025.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels—including gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil, and wood—and other natural and synthetic products. Breathing in…
Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a foul-smelling toxic gas, is part of a larger group of chemicals called sulfur oxides. These gases, especially SO2, are emitted by the burning of fossil fuels or other…
The Mississippi River - Lake Pepin Watershed includes 205,747 acres that drain several small, coldwater streams in bedrock-dominated bluff country.
Lake of the Woods is a big lake with a big problem caused by one of nature’s smallest organisms: algae. Scientists from the MPCA and the Science Museum are working together to understand why.
Image Stormwater has an enormous impact on water quality in Minnesota, whether it's runoff from farm fields or from urban hardscapes. Rain and snow…
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced a new initiative to monitor water quality throughout the entire Mississippi River within Minnesota’s borders for the first time in a single year.
Recyclers of CED must register with the MPCA; there is no annual fee. Recyclers must meet certain requirements in terms of regulatory compliance, necessary licensure, and insurance.
Controlling phosphorus is an important part of protecting Minnesota waters.