MESERB works to ensure that water quality standards that impact municipal wastewater facilities are based on open and transparent science, independently reviewed and result in meaningful benefits to water quality. Water quality standards issues that MESERB is currently focused on include:

• Wild Rice Sulfate
• Chloride (and other salty parameters)
• Total Nitrogen Standard
• Mercury
• River and Lake Euthrophication Standards
• Antidegradation

For information on current, future, and completed rulemaking projects, please visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Public Rulemaking Docket.

MESERB is always looking for innovate implementation methods to address water quality regulations to achieve maximum environmental benefit while responsibly utilizing state and local resources. Such activities include:

• Water Quality Trading – Working to research and develop a more flexible trading framework including point to non-point trading.
• Integrative Planning – Working to develop a framework that allows municipalities to meet regulatory obligations while optimizing infrastructure investments through prioritization and sequencing of work.
• Plant Optimization – Working with members to identify, develop and share plant optimization techniques and technologies to maximize efficiency in existing infrastructure.

• • Intent to Reissue NPDES and SDS Water Treatment Plant General Permit MNG640000 to Facilities Statewide. All water treatment facilities covered under this general permit use media filters for treatment of potable water. Comments are due June 14.
  • Public Notice: Intent to Reissue SDS Coverage Under State of Minnesota General Permit MNG820000 for Water Treatment Plants with Seepage Basins Statewide. All water treatment facilities covered under this general permit use media filters for treatment of potable water. Comments are due June 14.
  • Public Comment Period Now Open on Groundwater Protection Rule The Department of Agriculture has opened an 80-day public comment period on its proposed Groundwater Protection Rule. The rule is aimed at reducing elevated in nitrate levels in groundwater by regulating the use of nitrogen fertilizer where soils are vulnerable to leaching and where drinking water supplies have high nitrate levels. A series of public hearings will be held in July for comment; the schedule can be found here. Comments can be submitted through the OAH site and are due August 2.
  • Public Comment Period Extended for Bois de Sioux River Watershed The MPCA extended comment period on for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) for the Bois de Sioux River to June 4.