Agenda - Council - 07/28/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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88 Additional water supply -related activities Although MPCA is not directly responsible for water supply infrastructure or management, several activities indirectly affect water supply sources in the region: • Monitor ambient groundwater quality as an early warning system identifying threats to the quality of shallow and vulnerable aquifers. • Consult and provide support to the DNR for water supply concerns and dropping lake levels in the North and East Metro Groundwater Management Areas • Participate on the Interagency Groundwater/Drinking Water collaborative team working with the Clean Water Fund • Investigate and remediate non agricultural contaminated sites, including monitoring to assess the containment of contaminant plumes from Superfund sites, petroleum releases and closed landfills. • Monitor the waters of the state to assess their quality, using a systematic intensive watershed approach to determine physical, chemical and biological integrity. • Promote protection of drinking water use and identify source water protection areas in certain projects with limits on the Total Maximum Daily Load of pollutants (TMDL) and in Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) • Maintain and update standards and rules to be consistent with other rules and statutes protecting water supply sources • Adapt monitoring, prevention, regulation and remediation efforts for contaminants of new/ emerging concern • Identify and investigate interactions between groundwater and surface water • Work with local government units to promote and implement best management practices that protect surface and groundwater quality • Ensure compliance with the Minnesota Groundwater Protection Act • Minimize and regulate pollutant discharges via permits, technical/financial assistance, and enforcement Minnesota Department of Agriculture Role The mission of the department is to enhance Minnesotan's quality of life by ensuring the integrity of the food supply, the health of the environment, and the strength of the agricultural community. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is the lead agency for all aspects of pesticide and fertilizer environmental and regulatory functions. Responsibilities Master Water Supply Plan Implementation • Partner with Metropolitan Council to provide guidance to communities to consider agricultural best management practices within source water protection areas. Additional water supply -related activities While MDA is not directly responsible for water supply infrastructure or management, several of its activities indirectly affect water supply sources in the region. MDA is responsible for or involved in many water quality programs and initiatives. These include but are not limited to the following: • Serve as lead agency for groundwater contamination from pesticide and fertilizer non -point source pollution WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLAN- Draft June 2015