Here’s what Minnesota found in its 2026 water quality checkup

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency held a public meeting on Wednesday on statewide water quality.

The agency talked about the 2026 impaired waters list, which includes all waters that do not meet state standards. The MPCA focused on newly listed wild rice waters and on statewide assessments of chemicals and mercury in fish.

Every two years, the MPCA creates a list of impaired waters, as required by the federal Clean Water Act. This list includes waters that the MPCA assessed and found to fail to meet water quality standards for their designated use.

Aquatic consumption

For fish consumption, the MPCA looks for mercury, PFOS, and PCBs.

In the 2026 assessment, 37 new bodies of water were added to the list of mercury impairments. State officials said these new bodies of water were not assessed before. Out of the 37 bodies of water, 34 are covered by the total maximum daily load.

Meanwhile, statewide, 32 have higher mercury concentrations than previously reported in 1998. State data show that 27% of the impairment list is due to mercury.

State officials noted that most of the mercury pollution stems from air quality in the designated area.

When it comes to PFAS or “forever chemicals,” Minnesota limits their use to keep drinking water, fish, and recreation safe. The MPCA has monitored PFAS in fish since the early 2000s.

State officials said PFOS is the main PFAS concern found in fish tissue.

After the PFAS assessment, 22 bodies of water are impaired under the fish tissue assessment. For drinking water, no impairments were shown across seven waterbodies.

Wild rice protection

Meanwhile, to protect wild rice, the agency focuses on sulfate levels.

The agency said wild rice is a cultural resource to many, particularly members of the Dakota and Ojibwe tribal nations. In the 2024 public hearing period, state officials asked the public for more wild rice waters to review.

In the 2026 assessment, MPCA added 75 new locations, mainly in southern Minnesota along the Mississippi River. The MPCA said it is also working on new ways to protect wild rice.

Takeaways

State officials said it takes time for restoration efforts to take effect and for bodies of water to be delisted. According to the agency, it is delisting more impairments from the list than ever before.

A public comment period is open through July 22. The MPCA will be hosting two other virtual meetings on statewide assessment. One is scheduled for Thursday and one for Tuesday, July 14.

For more information on the MPCA, click here.

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