Cleanup and recovery from a natural disaster depends on local units of government to guide and direct residents to ensure the effective and efficient disposal of wastes in accordance with statutes, rules and guidelines.
On this page are links to information, customizable handouts and forms that will make it easier for local units of government to deal with the many challenging aspects of recovering from a natural disaster.
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 Management Unit.
Flooded wastewater-treatment facilities
Need immediate help? MnWARN is a mutual aid program whereby water, wastewater and stormwater utilities sustaining physical damage from natural or human-caused disasters in the Minnesota can obtain emergency assistance, in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other associated services necessary to protect the health and welfare of the utilities' customers.
MnWARN | Minnesota Water/Wastewater Utilities Agency Response Network
Guidelines for wastewater-treatment facilities during a flood
Debris management and public information
- Guidelines for managing mud and used sandbags after a flood
Please separate your wastes at the curb (customizable flyer)- Separe sus residuos en el borde de la acera (Spanish version of the customizable flyer, "Please separate your wastes at the curb")
- Reporting spills and leaks
- HSEM debris management plan guidebook (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
Debris disposal
- Disposing of wastes from a natural disaster or large fire
- Options for disposing of wastes from natural disasters in northwestern Minnesota
- Options for disposing of wastes from a natural disaster in northeastern Minnesota (c-er3-08)
- Options for disposing of wastes from a natural disaster in north-central Minnesota (c-er3-09)
- Options for disposing of wastes from natural diasters in southeastern Minnesota
- Options for disposing of wastes from natural disasters in southwestern Minnesota
- Options for disposing of wastes from natural disasters in the Twin Cities metro area
- Solid Waste Transfer Facility Permit-By-Rule (PBR) Notification
- Demolition Debris Disposal Facility Permit-By-Rule (PBR)
Building demolition
- Asbestos-related considerations in residential demolition
- Pre-Demolition Environmental Checklist and Guide
- Notification of Intent to perform a demolition (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 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 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 (BMPs) to the extent possible. The BMPs must be followed during dike removal after the flood or if the dike is to remain permanently. For additional information, see:
Other resources
Debris management guide (FEMA)The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a wealth of information on debris removal, debris management, and demolition operations.