MPCA's compliance and enforcement program tracks how well wastewater treatment facilities are complying with their permits and takes enforcement actions when necessary. The agency provides information, tools, and incentives to assist municipalities and businesses in complying with the law.
Guidance for flooding or wastewater release
Water treatment plant release guidance (wq-wwtp1-05)
Flood guidance for wastewater treatment facilities (wq-wwtp7-01)
Release report (wq-wwtp7-20a)
Wastewater releases/bypasses — what you should know (wq-wwtp5-76)
Facility signage: Response steps for unauthorized wastewater release
Wastewater discharge sign 8.5 x 11 (wq-wwtp7-51a)
Wastewater discharge sticker 2 x 2 (wq-wwtp7-51b)
Wastewater discharge sticker 6 x 6 (wq-wwtp7-51c)
Minnesota Duty Officer
When to report a discharge/release to the MN Duty officer (651-649-5451, 800-422-0798)
- When your permit requires it. Even if MPCA compliance staff are aware of the discharge, call the MN Duty Officer to ensure compliance with your permit.
- Whenever there is a discharge, accidental or otherwise, of any substance or material that may cause pollution of waters of the state. When in doubt call.
- When there is a petroleum discharge over five gallons, though any petroleum discharge that causes a nuisance condition to waters of the state should be reported to the Duty Officer.
Facility operations guidance and manuals
NPDES/SDS total residual chlorine MDL/RL guidance (wq-wwtp1-11)
Stabilization pond systems manual (wq-wwtp8-22)
Stabilization Pond Discharge Guidance
Stabilization ponds: Discharge evaluation reporting form (wq-wwtp7-06a)
Riprap Criteria for Stabilization Ponds
- Approved herbicides to control vegetation -- see page 8 of
Chemical additive review guidance (wq-wwprm2-12)
Wastewater Treatment Facility Operation and Maintenance Manual Guidelines
Operation and Maintenance Manual Certificate of Completion
Municipalities having sewer systems with sewage treatment plants (1872-1947)
Spray irrigation/rapid infiltration basin discharge not authorized within permit (wq-wwtp7-06b)
Large Subsurface Treatment Systems (LSTS) process control monitoring for nitrogen (wq-wwprm8-03)
Large subsurface wastewater treatment system process control monitoring for nitrogen: Troubleshooting guidance (wq-wwprm8-04)
Collection system operator's math workbook (wq-wwtp8-01)
Wastewater treatment facility operator's math workbook (wq-wwtp8-02)
Wastewater treatment and collection system terms (wq-wwtp8-20)
Wastewater formulas and conversion factors (wq-wwtp8-03)
Wastewater treatment technology (wq-wwtp8-23)
Biological nutrient removal (wq-wwtp8-21)
Basic wastewater collection systems (wq-wwtp8-26)
Worksheets and spreadsheet for operators
The following worksheets and spreadsheets are designed to help operators do various required calculations, such as the amount of water pond operators need to discharge for winter or summer storage and calculations needed to calibrate lift station pumps. Some of the calculations are required in your NPDES permit. Remember to keep records for at least three years.
Pond discharge calculation worksheet
Pump Calibration Worksheet
Pump calibration worksheet — circular wet well
Pump calibration worksheet — rectangular wet well
Calculation of geometric mean (wq-wwprm2-08)
Geometric mean worksheet - fecal coliform (wq-wwtp7-34)
Pump Readings — in hours (use only when third meter runs with other two)
Pump Readings — in minutes (third meter runs with the other two)
Pump Readings — in hours (use only when all meters run independent of each other)
Pump readings — in minutes (third meter independent of the other two)
Solids Retention Time (SRT) calculation worksheet
Food to mass ratio calculation worksheet
Wasting rate calculation worksheet
Dilution ratio worksheet
Desktop water balance worksheet instructions
Desktop water balance worksheet — 2 cell
Desktop water balance worksheet — 3 cell
Desktop water balance worksheet — 4 cell
Frequently asked questions
Wastewater Certification Exam: Exam requirements
- Training and certification for wastewater operators
Wastewater treatment facility contract operator guidelines (wq-wwtp7-50)
Annual reporting
Water Treatment Plant Residual Solids Annual Report (wq-wwprm7-32)
Municipal spray irrigation annual report (wq-wwtp7-48)
Individual industrial stormwater annual report form (wq-wwprm7-60c)
- Pretreatment annual report
Industrial By-Product Land Application Annual Report
Biosolids Annual Report
Common violations and ways to avoid them
Violation | Examples of violation | Preventative measures |
---|---|---|
Incomplete, incorrect, or late DMR-related reporting or missed monitoring events | Submitted incomplete or incorrect report or DMR, failed to submit required sampling or monitoring results on the correct form, or failed to complete a monitoring event |
|
Limit exceedance | Any monitoring result over the permit limit (see Limits and Monitoring section of permit) | Properly maintain your equipment |
Late or missing DMR | DMRs not submitted or not submitted on time as required in permit |
|
Records not maintained | Records of equipment calibration, sampling, training, inspection or required lab records are missing |
|
Unauthorized release | A wastewater overflow or spill is released to the environment (e.g., sanitary sewer overflow from plugged collection system, pump or electrical failures, or overwhelming rain or snow melt) |
|
Inadequate equipment calibration or calibration frequency | Flow, pH, or dissolved oxygen meter is not calibrated to required specifications | Properly train staff on equipment calibration, procedures, and frequency |
Proper sample preservation procedures not followed | A sample was not tested for pH within 15 minutes of being collected or a sample temperature was not maintained at 4 - 6 degrees Celsius | Properly train staff on sample preservation procedures |
Late reports or permit application | Not submitting reports (e.g., bio-solids, spray irrigation, industrial byproduct) or apply for a permit reissuance in a timely manner |
|
Nuisance conditions |
A discharge to surface water causes
|
|
Failure to notify and avoid water pollution |
|
|
Concerns at non-regulated facilities
Program Management Decision on Septage Storage
- Industrial stormwater: Individual NPDES/SDS wastewater permits compliance and guidance
- Campgrounds
Powerwashing and Other Water-based Blasting (w-hw4-39b)
Floor drains, Separators and Traps, and Holding Tanks (w-hw4-18)
Concrete, paint, stucco and other washout guidance (wq-strm2-24)
Resources
Air permits and municipal wastewater treatment facilities (aq5-10)
- MnWARN. Statewide water/wastewater agency response network (WARN) of “utilities helping utilities.” Members assist each other with emergency response and resources.
- Minnesota Rural Water Association. Offers professional on-site technical assistance and training to water and wastewater system personnel
- League of Minnesota Cities. Provides sanitary sewer resources, including an incentive program and a guide for sanitary sewer maintenance policies and procedures.