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Water Quality Monitoring

River Monitoring

Large rivers are monitored for a variety of variables to document long-term changes in water quality and assess and characterize biological communities and riverbed sediments.

Stream Monitoring

There are twenty-six long-term stream monitoring stations in the Twin Cities and six in southwestern Minnesota. The diversity of variables analyzed allows for characterization of the streams and is leading to the development of Target Pollutant Loads.

Lake Monitoring

MCES monitors lakes to provide a comprehensive database that allows cities, counties and watershed management organizations to better manage these lakes.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Monitoring

MCES monitors the quality of treated wastewater that is discharged from its treatment plants. Groundwater monitoring is also conducted at various treatment plants.

Special Monitoring Projects and Studies

Special monitoring projects are conducted in support of water quality goals, often in cooperation with other interested agencies. Monitoring is also conducted in response to accidental wastewater spills or discharges that may affect surface waters in the metropolitan area.