Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

10/16/2026

Can you tell which of these photos is natural and which could be harmful? A colorful film on the water may look like an oil slick but might be naturally occurring bacteria. One easy way to tell: Break the sheen with a stick or rock! If it breaks into pieces, it's likely harmless and natural. If it reforms quickly, or if there's a noticeable chemical odor, it may be petroleum-based. While it's common to see a temporary sheen near stormwater outfalls, parking lots, or roads after rain, any large, persistent sheens or suspected spills should be reported to the Minnesota Duty Officer at 800-422-0798.

10/15/2026

Installing backup power at wastewater pump stations helps keep wastewater moving even when the electricity goes out, reducing the risk of sewage backups that can risk public health and damage buildings and the environment. With help from an MPCA grant, Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary added emergency standby generators at three main pump stations, keeping the wastewater system reliable and effective. Learn more about how grants from the MPCA are helping communities be better prepared here: https://data.pca.state.mn.us/views/Climategrantsmap/ClimateGrants?%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

Autumn recipes are an important part of cozy season, but what do you do with that half-used can of pumpkin or cranberry? The freezer is for more than leftovers and pints of ice cream. Freeze partially used ingredients in ice cube trays to keep them out of the trash and ready for use. How are you reducing food waste in your home?

10/13/2026

What IS a watershed, anyway? In the first installment of our Watershed Word of the Day series, we're taking it back to basics. Simply put, a watershed is an area where all the water drains to the same place - a river, stream, or lake. Minnesota has 80 watersheds - do you know yours? Tell us in the comments 👇

10/12/2026

The weather is getting colder, and for many Minnesotans, the countdown has begun for ice fishing season. If you own or operate a store that stocks fishing tackle, the MPCA is offering rebates of up to $3,000 that help retail establishments put more lead-free tackle on their store shelves! For the health of our waters and our wildlife, let's keep it lead-free this ice fishing season. Learn more and apply: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/grants-and-loans/get-the-lead-out-lead-free-fishing-tackle-rebate-program

10/09/2026

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for west central and southwest Minnesota. The alert takes effect 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, and runs until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. The affected area includes Marshall, Worthington, Ortonville, and the Tribal Nation of Upper Sioux. For more information, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/air-quality-alert-issued-due-to-wind-blown-dust-for-saturday-oct-10-for-west-central-and-southwest

10/09/2026

Much of our stormwater infrastructure was built for a different climate. As storms become more intense, undersized pipes can no longer handle the volume of water, increasing the risk of street flooding and property damage. Installing larger pipes that can handle big rain events protects homes and public infrastructure while reducing costly repairs after major storms. Learn how climate resilience grant projects funded by the MPCA help communities here: https://data.pca.state.mn.us/views/Climategrantsmap/ClimateGrants?%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y

10/08/2026

We have EEL-y good news! Members of the MPCA's biological monitoring team found an American eel on the Minnesota River near Judson last month. The agency has spotted only four American eels in the state since the early 1990s. MPCA biomonitoring teams collect data at hundreds of sites every year, which can often detect water quality problems that chemistry analysis misses. Learn more about this important work here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/river-and-stream-biological-monitoring

10/07/2026

The MPCA announced 7 enforcement actions with penalties greater than $10,000 in September. You can find more information about these actions here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories?field_subcategory_target_id=501