All Projects

Reduce nitrogen fertilization and infiltration near well #6; Educate property owners about nitrate infiltration; Install lysimeters to determine level of fertilizer

Seal and cap well #2 (217911)

Drill pilot wells to locate alternative water supply; Drill 4 test wells near Little Falls Fire Hall to check water quality and quantity

Install fencing around city wells; Install alarms at the well pump houses #2 and #3

Update PCSI; Survey to identify remaining unidentified wells in the DWSMA

Seal private wells located in the DWSMA; Send educational materials to residents

SCADA equipment for remote monitoring at municipal well production site

Seal municipal well #3 (218623)

Locate and seal unused wells in the DWSMA 310815

Well sealing program; Well survey; Public education on private well management

Update PCSI (work items 1 - 5); Update Ordinance re well construction and connection to City Water

Seal private wells in the DWSMA

Install programmable locks at wellhouse and treatment building

Potential contaminant source inventory; Publish and distribute Consumer Confidence Report

Construct a new well; Seal existing well 804682

Drill test wells to find a new water source

Install water and sediment control basins

Construct new well to replace existing hand dug well; Seal existing well 807132

Install surface water system to replace groundwater system

Construct a new well; Seal existing wells #5 and #6 (287321, 308131)

Construction of up to 7 curb cut rain gardens

Design website which gathers information for irrigators in DWSMA to make irrigation scheduling decisions

Survey property owners within the DWSMA about unsealed unused wells; Seal unused wells identified through the survey

Tank flow meter

Seal test well; Coordinate hazardous waste day; Promote proper rates and application of fertilizer; Provide tours of the municipal water treatment plant

The lack of sewage treatment in many small communities in Southeast Minnesota is causing surface water and groundwater pollution. Ten of these small communities will be the target of the technical assistance provided by this project. These communities have community or individual straight pipes which are discharging raw sewage directly into the environment, surfacing sewage, or have sewage contaminating groundwater.

The goal of this project is to investigate nitrate transport and the sources of nitrate in karst for more effective implementation of best management practices that will reduce nitrate concentrations in ground and surface water.

The final product will be a document of final action for an individual Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) that a properly certified Advanced Inspector has reviewed to provide adequate environmental protection in accordance with Minnesota Rules.

MPCA will administer funding to eligible Local Governmental Units to use MPCA-approved Advanced Inspectors to conduct work in accordance with Minn. Rules 7080, 7081, and 7083, which requires proper location, design, installation, use and maintenance of an individual subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) with a design flow of 2,500 gallons per day or more that protects the public health, safety, general welfare, and the environment by the discharge of adequately treated sewage to the groundwater. Multiple contracts will be awarded.

The Statewide Sediment Network was established to measure the levels of suspended sediment concentrations and particle size distributions at eight sites across Minnesota to evaluate the amount of sediment carried by rivers. USGS sample collection and laboratory analysis techniques provide a more rigorous, robust, and technically accurate measure of sediment in water than the current use of total suspended solids as the measure of sediment in water.

Nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate) is one of the contaminants of greatest concern for groundwater in Minnesota. This funding is being used for activities that help identify the severity and magnitude of nitrate contamination and implement practices at the local level to reduce nitrate in groundwater. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with many local partners and passing funding through to local government units (counties, cities, soil and water conservation districts) to address this concern.

The MDA's technical assistance helps ensure that current and accurate scientific information is made available and used to address water quality concerns in agricultural areas of Minnesota. This funding has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices, share information from research and demonstration sites and enhance outreach and education to the agricultural community and local government partners.