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.

Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Water Quality Standards – Class 2 and Class 7 Use Designations, Minnesota Rules chapter 7050; DUAL NOTICE: Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules Without a Public Hearing Unless 25 or More Persons Request a Hearing, and Notice of Hearing if 25 or More Requests for Hearing Are Received; Revisor’s ID Number R-4561. The overall purpose of the rules is to update the use designations for some state waters. The “designated use” is a component of water quality standards that defines how the water is used (e.g. drinking water, aquatic life, recreation). The proposed rules assign appropriate use designations to individual waterbodies. The MPCA has scheduled a public information meeting on the proposed rules at the MPCA Saint Paul office and via WebEx on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 3 – 5:30 p.m. The public comment period is from Sept. 23-Nov. 7, 2019.

Intent to Modify NPDES and SDS General Permit MNG585000 is open for public comment through Dec. 30, 2019.