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Based on volume, construction and demolition debris presents a big opportunity for reducing waste and its environmental effects.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)’s draft wastewater permit for the 3M facility at Cottage Grove adds new water quality protections for the Mississippi River and improves accountability through monitoring and reporting requirements. The draft permit is one of the most rigorous in state history and mandates the removal of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to levels below detection.
The MPCA announced cleanup plans for the defunct Hibbing Gas Manufacturing Plant site, explained in a draft Minnesota Decision Document that is available for public comment until July 9, 2026.
Across the state, water softeners contribute significantly to chloride pollution. Here’s how to make sure your water softener isn’t sending excess salt into the environment
Industrial stormwater steps to compliance Step 6: Meet requirements
Profile of John Weiss, a volunteer with the MPCA's Volunteer Water Monitoring Program
Water scientists from the MPCA published four watershed reports in 2025, updating the data we need to keep Minnesota’s waters clean and protected.
Karst near Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, host of the We Are Water MN traveling exhibit. Phil George, who lives in rural Byron, Minnesota, has always felt a deep…
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency seeks public comment on a draft industrial wastewater permit that provides various improvements to better protect the environment and human health at Northshore Mining Co.'s taconite processing facility and tailings basin in Silver Bay, Minnesota.
Determine what type(s) of water quality permit is required at facilities that mine construction sand and gravel; industrial sand; quarry limestone, granite or dimension stone; operate hot mix asphalt production areas; produce concrete block, brick and other products; and/or produce ready-mix concrete.
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.
State will begin engagement next month on an updated framework set to be released in 2025
Climate adaptation identifies strategies and actions that help human and natural systems cope with and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Testing found elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene/perchloroethylene (PCE or Perc) in soil vapors around the Dison’s Cleaners and Launderers site in Rochester.
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.
Stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution, and the state general permit is designed to reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants entering state waters.
Minnesota state agencies and local governments are working together to protect drinking water supplies.
This long-term data gathering initiative helps track trends in water bodies around the state. The MPCA is grateful for every volunteer who has dedicated time to monitoring their favorite lake or stream.
The Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed consists of 1.26 million acres (1,961 square miles) and contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park. The watershed includes parts of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard and Itasca counties.
A cumulative impacts analysis provides a comprehensive look at all burdens that affect a community or neighborhood.