Local governments are critical to cleanup and recovery efforts following emergencies and natural disasters, guiding and assisting residents in waste disposal and ensuring the delivery of public services. The resources below are designed to help in those efforts.
If you need immediate assistance or guidance due to an emergency, call the Minnesota Duty Officer (651-649-5451 or 800-422-0798) and ask to speak to a member of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Emergency Response Unit.
Flooded wastewater-treatment facilities
Need immediate help? MnWARN is a mutual aid program for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. Member facilities that are damaged by disasters can obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and associated services to protect the health and welfare of the utilities' customers.
Flood guidance for wastewater treatment facilities (wq-wwtp7-01)- MnWARN | Minnesota Water/Wastewater Utilities Agency Response Network
Debris management and public information
- Guidelines for managing mud and used sandbags after a flood (c-er3-19)
- HSEM debris management plan guidebook (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
- Debris management guide (FEMA)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a wealth of information on debris removal, debris management, and demolition operations.
Customizable flyers
Please separate your wastes at the curb (c-er3-17) (customizable flyer)- Separe sus residuos en el borde de la acera (c-er3-17a) (Spanish version of the customizable flyer, "Please separate your wastes at the curb")
Building demolition
- Asbestos-related considerations in residential demolition (w-sw2-04)
- Pre-renovation/demolition environmental checklist (w-sw4-20)
- Demolition/Renovation notification (w-sw4-21)
Tank management
Emergency construction
State stormwater rules require erosion prevention and sediment control at construction sites, and these activities normally require a permit. In an emergency, certain emergency construction activities may begin before a permit application is submitted to the MPCA. Emergency dike construction for an impending flood is an example. However, before emergency construction work begins, the MPCA must be notified of the emergency construction by fax or e-mail. The emergency construction should use erosion prevention and sediment control best management practices to the extent possible. For additional information, see:
Specialized topics
Avian flu cleanup and disposal
- Avian flu: Cleanup and disposal (w-sw5-63)
- Carcass composting steps (Board of Animal Health)
- Letter and information regarding managing wastes from farms affected by the Avian Influenza, March 2017 (w-sw5-51)
- Poultry mortality composting site selection (wq-f6-80)
- Memorandum of Understanding - Disposal of livestock carcasses, concrete and rebar and debris from damaged farm structures resulting from a disaster (wq-f6-08)