\u201cI\u2019m forming this task force to jump-start an important conversation about how we steward our precious water resources into the future, especially in the context of pressures like increasing demand and global climate change,\u201d Ellison said in a news release announcing the panel last spring. \u201cI want it to be not about regulation, but imagination; not about pointing fingers or assigning blame, but about our best thinking for expanding what\u2019s possible for us as stewards of Minnesota\u2019s water.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Non-point sources<\/p>\n
While most of the so-called \u201cpoint\u201d sources of pollution \u2014 municipal and industrial wastewater \u2014 have been cleaned up, \u201cnon-point\u201d sources \u2014 primarily runoff from the landscape \u2014 remain challenging.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Water is a relatively simple compound, yet its relation to the environment includes almost every branch of science, including political and social science. Vast amounts of data, almost countless water quality projects, and millions of dollars have improved water quality in general, but the work is continuous, and much work remains.<\/p>\n
Major issues include groundwater in sensitive areas, the impact of crop and livestock agriculture, municipal stormwater, recreation, mining and climate change, and more recent impacts like water requirements for data centers<\/a>, which are on the increase.<\/p>\n These issues are addressed in the regulatory and policy programs of several state agencies, including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Board of Water and Soil Resources, along with counties and scores of local water management organizations.<\/p>\n The Clean Water Council<\/a> administered by the MPCA advises the Legislature and the governor on the administration and implementation of the 2006\u00a0Clean Water Legacy Act.<\/a> Its biennial report includes Clean Water Fund<\/a> and policy recommendations, as well as a progress report. Since 2010, it has distributed about $5.5 million for clean water projects from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that Minnesotans approved in 2008.<\/p>\n \u201cMinnesota has strong environmental laws that create an obligation for the state to protect natural resources and human health,\u201d task force member Carly Griffith said in an email. The water program director for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Griffith said, \u201cMCEA believes that the state needs to use the full power of these laws to address major water challenges, from nitrate contamination in vulnerable aquifers to PFAS source reduction to groundwater sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: U.S. push for methane biodigesters could boost farm income but draws air and water quality concerns<\/a><\/p>\n In September, the Ramsey County District Court ruled in a case brought by MCEA, ordering the MPCA and Department of Agriculture to review their rules and regulations to determine if they are sufficient and effective in regulating nitrates in groundwater. According to an MPCA study, in southeast Minnesota about 90% comes from nitrates in fertilizer. MPCA rules address large feedlots and manure management. The MDA has limited regulation addressing nitrates in groundwater.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Task force wades in<\/p>\n The task force first convened in June and will meet every other month leading up to a report by April. Membership is composed of four state lawmakers, four state agency representatives and 15 citizens representing various groups and interests. Task force leaders are creating subgroups to study more specific areas, said Carin Mrotz, senior adviser for policy and special projects in the attorney general\u2019s office.<\/p>\n The task force will bring into focus the ongoing water quality work and \u201cdevelop a broad set of recommendations for policymakers and regulators, advocacy groups and business leaders, communities and individuals,\u201d according to the spring news release. So far, the task force has heard presentations from the White Earth Nation, Mining Minnesota, Imagine Deliver and Southeast Minnesota Nitrate Strategies.<\/p>\n At the first meeting on June 11, Ellison called it \u201cthe beginning of a conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n Peg Furshong, director of constituent relations and special projects with CURE, applauded Ellison for creating the group but said it \u201cmay have bitten off more than they could chew\u201d because of the complexity of the issue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are at the headwaters of the Mississippi River watershed, we have multiple watersheds, and what we do here doesn\u2019t just impact Minnesota, it impacts the region and the country,\u201d Furshong said. \u201cIn Minnesota, the perception is that we\u2019re a water rich state, but we\u2019re not in the southwest part.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018We are water\u2019<\/p>\n A good place to learn about the state\u2019s water quality and what\u2019s being done can be found at \u201cWe Are Water<\/a>,\u201d an extensive exhibit that has been traveling around the state since 2016. About 100,000 visitors have attended the exhibit in 50 communities. The exhibit will be at the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center through Dec. 1.<\/p>\n \u201cState agencies created a Minnesota-version of that nationally touring exhibit and then hatched the idea of a statewide version in which local communities contributed significant content,\u201d said Trygve Throntveit, previously of the Minnesota Humanities Commission. Host communities for the 2026 exhibition tour may include those along the Mississippi River to mark the Mississippi Centennial Celebration.<\/p>\n Volunteers help supply data<\/p>\n With data collection a major part of water quality work, the MPCA\u2019s volunteer water monitoring program<\/a> has 1,117 volunteer water monitors across the state who take clarity readings on 629 lakes and at 607 stream sites.<\/p>\n The program\u2019s annual \u201cSecchi Social<\/a>\u201d is scheduled for Oct. 23 in Mankato.<\/p>\n![\"Cattle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WaterTaskForce_102225_fp-1-640x480.jpg\")
Grazing livestock on pasture instead of concentrated feedlots helps to reduce the potential for contaminated runoff into waterways. Credit: Forrest Peterson<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WaterTaskForce_102225_fp-2-640x426.jpg\")
John White serves as \u2018bartender\u2019 at the We Are Water exhibit in Ortonville. The water bar features samples of tap water from area communities. Credit: Minnesota Humanities Commission<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WaterTaskForce_102225_fp-3-640x491.jpg\")
Brad Froland demonstrates the use of a \u201cT tube\u201d for a 2019 documentary on water quality monitoring filmed by Pioneer Public Television in Granite Falls. Credit: Forrest Peterson<\/p>\n