Pollution Prevention

Keep our lakes, RIvers and Streams Healthy

The City of Waite Park cares about our states water resources, we ask you to visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Website, Sauk River Watershed District Website, and the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation Website to become educated on how to keep or water sources healthy.

To view the City's Water Education Brochure, click here.

Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance

Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance (CMWEA) is a coalition of Central Minnesota cities, counties, townships, and other organizations that provides educational outreach to promote water quality stewardship.

The mission of CMWEA is to develop and implement educational programs that encourage individuals in Central Minnesota to protect water resources by increasing their knowledge and making simple behavior changes. By working in concert, the members of CMWEA are able to provide a consistent water quality educational message in a cost-effective manner. Funding is provided by membership dues.

Please visit CMWEA's Website to learn more.

To view the City's Clean Water Tips Brochure, click here.

Cigarette and E-Cigeratte litter/waste

Cigarette butts leach toxic chemicals such as lead and arsenic into our soil and water ways. It can take up to 10 years for a cigarette butt to fully decompose. Please consider properly disposing cigarette waste and not into the environment. To learn more about cigarette and e-cigarette information and how to properly dispose of them please visit the Truth Initiative Website and the MPCA Website

De-icing salt use

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recommends a low-salt diet for our lakes, streams, and rivers. Much like table salt, rock salt’s benefits are peppered with danger. Salt helps melt ice on roads and sidewalks and protects drivers and pedestrians. But when the snow melts, de-icing salt, which contains chloride, runs into nearby bodies of water and harms aquatic wildlife. Chloride accumulates in the water over time, and there’s no feasible way to treat or remove it. Our freshwater fish and bugs can't tolerate a salty environment! Please visit the MPCA Website to learn tips on smart salting.

To view the City's De-Icing Education Brochure, click here.

Pet waste

Pet waste left uncollected is unsanitary and disagreeable for users. It contains pathogenic bacteria and other parasites. When pet waste is washed into our lakes and rivers it decays in the water, depleting oxygen levels and releasing ammonia, which can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. Pet waste also contains nutrients that foster weed and algae growth. Elevated bacteria levels in lakes and rivers caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) can cause unsafe conditions for swimming and recreational activities. Please visit the MPCA Website to learn more on the effect of pet waste on our environment.

To view the City's Pet Waste Brochure, click here.

illicit discharge

In Minnesota, our storm sewer systems carry water directly to our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. This water does not go to a treatment plant before entering our surface water. To maintain fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water and prevent pollution from entering our waterbodies, only stormwater should enter a storm sewer system. If anything else, such as oil, chemicals, or sediment, enters the system it is usually an illicit discharge. Please haul hazardous waste to your local hazardous waste facility. If you notice an illicit discharge please report and call 320-252-6822.