water pollution – East Metro Water

How long is forever? Understanding PFAS (aka. Forever Chemicals) and their local impacts

By: angiehongmn April 3, 2026March 31, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesfeatured, fishing, forever chemicals, PFAS, water pollutionLeave a Comment

This March, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued updated fish consumption advisories for several lakes and rivers statewide that are impacted by mercury and PFAS.

Would you like to learn more about PFAS and its local impacts? Freshwater and the East Metro Water Education Program will co-host an info session for volunteers and local residents on Wednesday, April 8 (6-8pm) at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Dr. Ali Ling of the University of St. Thomas will speak and there will also be time for questions and conversation. Register at minnesotawaterstewards.org/pfas.

At Pig’s Eye, hope and despair abound in equal measure

By: angiehongmn February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Keeping water cleanDakota, featured, habitat restoration, Minnesota, Mississippi River, Pigs Eye, St. Paul, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Once, it was C̣hokáŋ Taŋka, the Dakota village of Kaposia, and a bountiful mecca for fishing, hunting, and gathering. Later, it was a highway of pollution, filled with human sewage, garbage, and carcasses from the local slaughterhouses. Today, it includes a regional park and DNR Scientific and Natural Area, surrounded by rail yards and heavy industry.

a boat on the Mississippi River near Lake City

Fish, with a side of anti-depressant?

By: angiehongmn November 18, 2025November 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Wildlifefeatured, fish, fishing, medications, pharmaceuticals, Septic Systems, wastewater, water pollutionLeave a Comment

How and why are chemicals like estrone, DEET, cocaine, antidepressants, oxycodone, and veterinary antibiotics ending up in our lakes and rivers?

St. Croix Watershed research highlights growing impact of chloride pollution

By: angiehongmn July 18, 2025July 17, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanchloride, featured, lakes, Minnesota, salt, St. croix Watershed research station, water pollution, winterLeave a Comment

Chloride is toxic to freshwater organisms like fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates and also alters lakes’ internal chemistry, causing a cascade of unexpected impacts.

A very hygge holiday?

By: angiehongmn December 9, 2022

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanchloride, featured, salt, water pollution, winterLeave a Comment

Most often, you experience hygge with a small group of friends or family, possibly in front of a fireplace with warm wooly socks and a steaming drink in hand, but definitely not behind the wheel of a car, careening through rush hour traffic in the middle of an ice storm.

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 continues to pollute Minnesota lakes and streams

By: angiehongmn January 20, 2022January 18, 2022

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanchloride, chloride impairment, featured, salt, water pollution11 Comments

Once concentrations are high enough, the chloride becomes toxic to fish and invertebrates and can even prevent lakes from turning over the in spring and fall.

When watershed educators go rogue

By: angiehongmn May 20, 2021May 18, 2021

Keeping water cleanfeatured, household hazardous waste, illicit discharges, stormwater pollution, water pollutionLeave a Comment

How to dispose of five common waste products without polluting our water.

Intersex fish and cocaine shrimp

By: angiehongmn February 25, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Groundwater, Keeping water cleancontaminants of emerging concern, endocrine disruptors, featured, groundwater, intersex fish, Mississippi River, pesticides, Septic Systems, St. Croix River, wastewater, water pollution1 Comment

Scientists lay the blame for these strange phenomena on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds, such as pesticides, medications, and even common household products like shampoo.

Green lawns for blue water and good health

By: angiehongmn July 24, 2020

Yards and Landscapingadopt a drain, featured, lawn care, lawns, sustainable lawns, water conservation, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Some common lawn care practices can harm wildlife, pets, and water resources. Happily, there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to get a healthy lawn that looks nice without harming the environment.