MPCA – East Metro Water

Mercury levels going down in Minnesota lakes

By: angiehongmn October 24, 2022

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, impaired waters, mercury, Minnesota lakes, MPCA, water pollutionLeave a Comment

In 2020, the MPCA removed Forest Lake, Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Owasso (Roseville/Shoreview), Johanna (Arden Hills) and eight lakes in northern Minnesota from the state’s impaired waters list. This was the first time in Minnesota history that any lake or river recovered from a mercury impairment.

Salt a growing problem for Minnesota’s water

By: angiehongmn October 26, 2021October 29, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Groundwater, Keeping water cleanchloride pollution, featured, MPCA, road salt, salt, water softenersLeave a Comment

Overall, the MPCA has determined that road salt is responsible for 42% of the chloride in groundwater, lakes and streams. Two other major sources of chloride that are less well-known include agricultural fertilizers (23% of the total chloride) and water softeners, which account for up to 65% of the chloride discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Boring bureaucracy keeps the water clean

By: angiehongmn November 12, 2020

Keeping water cleanClean Water Act, EPA, featured, MPCA, MS4, stormwater, stormwater pollution1 Comment

The U.S. EPA created the MS4 Program in 1990 to address the growing threat of stormwater pollution. In Minnesota, the program is administered by the MPCA and applies to roughly 300 cities, townships, counties, watershed districts, and large campuses such as universities, hospitals and prison complexes that operate their own private roads and stormwater drainage systems. This includes more than 20 permit holders in Washington County.

Debate over Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline floats quietly through the St. Croix River Valley

By: angiehongmn September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

Keeping water cleanAnishinaabe, Enbridge, featured, Line 3, Mississippi River, MPCA, St. Croix River, water qualityLeave a Comment

Since Aug. 5, Relay for Our Water participants have been transporting water from the Mississippi River headwaters through the state to protest construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline.

GreenCorps members prescribe a low-salt diet for Minnesota waters

By: angiehongmn January 14, 2019

Keeping water cleanchloride pollution, clean water, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, saltLeave a Comment

Water softeners are a surprising part of the problem In 1961, the newly elected President John F. Kennedy launched a program to help mitigate poverty around the world and spread American ideas and goodwill. The Peace Corps program immediately captured the attention of young people around the country, and thousands of applications poured in for…

Lessons from the locals

By: angiehongmn April 20, 2011

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesalgae, Brown's Creek Watershed District, impaired waters, McKusick Lake, middle st. croix watershed management organization, MPCA, native plants, phosphorus, raingardens, shoreline plantings, Stillwater, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Says Stillwater Council Member Doug Menikheim, â€œThe Lake McKusick story is a great example of what can happen when citizens pitch in to improve their community and different layers of government work together to save money and get things done.â€