May 2026
Inside the Newsletter:
Industrial Chloride | Water Savings | Irrigation | Events | Funding Opportunities
Industrial Chloride Reduction Project
MnTAP’s project to help industrial facilities across Minnesota reduce chloride use to prevent chloride pollution continues. High levels of chloride negatively impact aquatic life in rivers and lakes in Minnesota. It only takes one teaspoon of table salt to pollute five gallons of water above the chronic level of 230 milligrams per liter (mg/L). MnTAP is working directly with industrial facilities and coordinating with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to reach upstream facilities. One common source of chloride from industrial facilities is water softening, but specific processes, such as brining in food processing, are another possible source. Project activities include:
- Outreach: Carrying out direct outreach to communities and facilities about the project.
- Site assessments: Completing site visits to identify and quantify opportunities to reduce chloride use.
- Intern projects: Placing MnTAP interns on-site for three months to find ways to reduce chloride use.
- Sharing results: Sharing project results and lessons learned through presentations, success stories, a webinar, and a webpage.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
MnTAP has started outreach to engage facilities for site assessments and intern projects. If you are interested in learning more about the project or would like a meeting with MnTAP to discuss chloride at your facility, contact Laura Sevcik.
Contact
Laura Sevcik – Engineer
lsevcik@umn.edu
612-624-8192
MnTAP Interns and Staff Make Recommendations that Save 207 Million Gallons of Water Annually in the Twin Cities Metro
The seven-county metro area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington) comprises 181 cities and townships [1] and is home to over 3 million people. [2] This region is served by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES), which provides a variety of benefits, including operating wastewater treatment plants and developing a water supply plan. [3]
As part of this mission to provide resilient water supplies for the metro area, MCES has provided funds to the MnTAP Intern Program to assist businesses in identifying and implementing water efficiency projects. This work is funded by MCES through a grant from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.
Since 2013, MnTAP, with support from MCES, has made 353 water efficiency recommendations, representing potential annual water savings of nearly 794,000,000 gallons per year. Approximately 90% of the water efficiency recommendations resulted from 63 MnTAP intern projects, while the remaining 10% were the result of 10 MnTAP staff site assessments conducted before 2016. Implemented recommendations total about 207,000,000 gallons per year, with the annual financial benefit for metro businesses each year estimated to be over $2,000,000.
| Number of recommendations | Water saving potential (gal/year) | Recommendations implemented (gal/year) | Realized cost savings ($/year) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2025 MnTAP intern projects | 318 | 723,800,000 | 198,099,000 | $2,058,000 |
| MCES sponsored projects/grants and site assessments | 35 | 70,000,000 | 9,000,000 | Not Available |
| TOTAL | 353 | 793,800,000 | 207,099,000 | $2,058,000 |
During the most recent contract term, from 2023 to 2025, MnTAP conducted 19 intern projects that were sponsored in whole or in part by MCES. The interns were hosted by organizations across 13 unique business sectors, such as electroplating, dairy production, healthcare, chemical manufacturing, food processing, and horticulture. Examples of recommendations include:
- Replacing spray nozzles
- Reducing irrigation to meet the recommended rate of 1 inch per week (including rainfall)
- Repairing broken valves
- Installing low-flow shower heads
- Fine tuning cooling towers
MCES has renewed the contract for ten new interns, who will conduct their projects in 2026 and 2027. The projects chosen for this year will be Anchor Glass, Como Zoo and Conservatory, International Paper, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and Owens Corning. If you are interested in hosting a project in 2027, please contact Gabrielle Martin (gamartin@umn.edu) or Matt Domski at (mdomski@umn.edu) or learn more on this MnTAP intern webpage.
Contact
Gabrielle Martin – Engineer, CEM
gamartin@umn.edu
612-875-8163
Efficient Irrigation Practices for More Sustainable Landscapes
As summer approaches, now is a good time to revisit how to water landscapes responsibly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for nearly 8 billion gallons a day, and up to half of that is wasted due to inefficient irrigation. The primary use for all this water is landscape irrigation.
There is no single solution to irrigation efficiency, as needs vary by soil type, sun exposure, location, and use. However, lawns generally require about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. Tracking weekly water usage and comparing it with actual lawn needs is one of the most effective ways to prevent overwatering. Installing an irrigation or deduct meter allows sites to accurately measure irrigation use and avoid paying sewer charges on outdoor water.
Small adjustments to irrigation controllers can lead to significant water savings. Many systems include a seasonal percentage dial that allows watering times to be reduced. Reducing each irrigation cycle by even five minutes can save thousands of gallons over a season. Here are some other helpful adjustments:
- Reduce the arc of sprinkler heads near sidewalks, pathways, and fringe areas to prevent overspray. Oftentimes, a full 360-degree arc is not required, and water often ends up in areas without grass.
- Shorten the irrigation season by reducing watering weeks at the beginning and end of the year.
- Use the cycle-and-soak method of irrigation. For each zone, or area of the yard controlled by a single irrigation valve, determine how long it takes for water to pool after running it continuously. This experiment should be done on a day without rain. This is the maximum length of time to water one cycle. Split the time you usually water a zone into two or three shorter cycles, allowing water to penetrate the soil with a soak time of 30 minutes to an hour between watering.
- Reorient misaligned sprayers and repair leaks or damaged rotors to improve coverage and efficiency.
- Keep automatic irrigation off outside of dry spells.
Moisture sensors and rain-detection devices can also be used to prevent irrigation during rainfall or when soil moisture is already sufficient. The two main types of sensors are weather-based sensors, which monitor local weather and landscape conditions, and soil-based sensors, which monitor soil moisture levels. More advanced automation can combine real-time weather data, predicted rainfall, and soil moisture readings to override scheduled watering and reduce unnecessary irrigation. In residential cases, soil-based moisture sensors are generally the most recommended option, costing approximately $150 and rarely requiring replacement. Be sure to regularly check sensors and the irrigation setup to ensure they are not malfunctioning. This helps ensure the system responds accurately to weather conditions and moisture levels.
The EPA notes that replacing a standard clock-based controller with a WaterSense‑labeled smart controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water per year. If widely adopted, these controllers could save 390 billion gallons of water and $4.5 billion annually, equivalent to the annual water use of five million American households.
There are also several best practices to promote more drought-tolerant lawns. Raising mowing heights to at least three inches encourages deeper root systems and improves drought resilience. Before watering, step on the grass. If the grass springs back up, do not water. Water early in the morning once a week or less, assuming no rainfall has occurred. Choosing grass varieties that can survive Minnesota’s hot, humid summers, such as fescue instead of Kentucky bluegrass, can further reduce watering needs.
In areas where lawns are less frequently used, replacing non-native grasses with native plants can dramatically reduce irrigation needs. Native species are adapted to local climate conditions and require far less supplemental water once established. They also support pollinators and local wildlife, improve soil health, and reduce long-term maintenance. Converting even small, low-traffic areas to native plantings can provide meaningful water savings and increase local biodiversity. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has additional information on native plants and irrigation.
Efficient irrigation helps maintain healthy landscapes while conserving water and reducing costs. With thoughtful adjustments and proactive maintenance, it is possible to support both landscape health and long-term sustainability.
Contact
Ashwin Nambudiripad – Associate Engineer
ashwin@umn.edu
612-624-4638
Events
Building a National Network of P2 (Pollution Prevention) Technical Assistance Providers
Green Business National Network
June 1 at 3:00 PM (CT)
Virtual, No-Cost
The Green Business National Network (GBNN) kicks off this free educational series for P2 practitioners and green business programs to unlock the benefits of a collaborative, sector-based technical assistance network. Participants will learn how to:
- Leverage powerful technical assistance resources and expertise
- Develop innovative outreach and business engagement strategies
- Collaborate on sector-based technical assistance projects
- Address TA challenges with a cohort of environmental professionals
The introductory workshop explores the fundamentals of sector-based collaboration and launches a webinar series about the methods, tools, and resources that strengthen and activate technical assistance networks. As the series progresses, attendees will identify shared interests, deepen connections, and envision opportunities for programmatic partnerships.
Featuring:
- Rob Guillemin, EPA Region 1
- Luke Truman, BetterBev Program
- Peter Cooke, Grocery PoP!
- Cassie Carroll, Green Businesses National Network
To register, use this Zoom link.
Soiled Rag/Glove Management
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
June 4 at 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM (CT) (Register by June 3)
Virtual, No-Cost
The 30-minute live webinar will feature a short video to help you implement best management practices for handling soiled rags and gloves safely to reduce costs and pollution for your business.
Participants will have the chance to ask questions, engage with IDEM and other small businesses, and receive additional resources including an info sheet and companion checklist. To learn more and register, use this Microsoft Teams link.
Summer Webinar Series: Safer Alternatives Updates
Department of Ecology, State of Washington
July 8 at 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (CT)
Insulation, Solid Deodorizers, and Floor Waxes and Polishes
Virtual, No-Cost
Join us in June and July for a series of webinars sharing updates on current safer alternatives research. To help you get the most out of each session, they recommend watching the following two short videos in advance.
Can’t attend? These webinars will be recorded and available after the event on their YouTube channel. Register to attend at the links provided above for the different dates and times.
Lighting Control Workshop
Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls (LLLC)
June 3 at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: College of Technology 818 Dunwoody Blvd, Minneapolis, MN
June 4 at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Lake Superior College 2101 Trinity Rd, Duluth, MN
No-Cost
In-person workshop covering various topics on luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLCs) including: practicing app-based setup, best practices for layering lighting control strategies, current lighting control strategies, how to maximize utility rebates, and how to articulate benefits to customers. Who should attend: electrical contractors, electrical distributors, manufacturer representatives, lighting designers, facility operators, and owners. Learn more and register at this website.
Native Garden Maintenance – Lynnhurst Neighborhood, City of Minneapolis
June 8 at 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Lynnhurst Neighborhood Residence, 4604 Aldrich Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
No-Cost but suggested registration fee of $15
This hands-on workshop led by Jen Ehlert of Metro Blooms Design+Build will cover practices for keeping your native plantings thriving, and your native rain gardens functioning their best. Get guidance for identifying native plants, managing weeds, timing for garden maintenance activities throughout the year, assessing rain garden functionality and more. This workshop is hosted by the City of Minneapolis and the Lynnhurst Neighborhood. Learn more and register at this website. The registration fee is based on a pay-what-you-can model. A suggested registration fee of $15 continues to support the programming, while an amount over $15 supports workshop participants who are unable to afford the fee at this time. Learn more and register at this website.
Funding Opportunities
- Statewide environmental assistance grants (MPCA): Deadline is 4:00 PM CT on June 9, 2026. The MPCA is offering approximately $250,000 in grant funding to help Minnesota governments, businesses, institutions, and organizations address two specific needs: 1) reuse materials to reduce waste, and 2) reduce toxic chemicals in hair products. This program’s primary goals are to reduce waste generated in Minnesota, reduce greenhouse gases emitted by manufacturing new items, and eliminate toxic chemicals and metals from hair products to protect human health and the environment.
- CSFS: Industrial innovation in food systems – technical assistance and planning (TAP) (MPCA): Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the final deadline being 5:00 PM (CT) on June 21, 2028. The MPCA is soliciting proposals for technical assistance and planning services to food and beverage manufacturers and organic waste processors across Minnesota. Funding is designed to identify and evaluate facility-specific efficiency projects and decarbonization efforts that will, if implemented, enable the grantee to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs while lessening environmental impacts through reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, criteria air pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, and/or waste. Eligible applications received by 5 p.m. on the 21st of each month will be reviewed and evaluated. This will continue until funds are fully encumbered, or June 21, 2028, whichever occurs first.
- CSFS: Industrial innovation in food systems – implementation (MPCA): Eligible applications received by 5:00 PM (CT) on the quarterly deadline (July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1 of each year) will be reviewed and evaluated. This will continue until funds are fully encumbered, or April 1, 2028 at 5:00 PM (CT), whichever occurs first. The MPCA is soliciting proposals to support industrial food and beverage manufacturers and food system organic waste processors across Minnesota. Funding is intended to execute capital expenditure (capex) projects at facilities that will improve operational efficiency, reduce operating costs, and lessen environmental impacts by reducing greenhouse emissions, criteria air pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, and/or waste. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly.
- Solid Waste Processing Facilities Capital Assistance Program (MPCA): CAP provides financial and technical assistance to local governments to encourage investment in the proper management of solid waste. Eligible applicants are Minnesota cities, counties, solid waste management districts, and sanitary districts. Eligible projects are facilities that advance efforts to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recover resources.
- Environmental assistance loans for capital costs associated with environmental processes and technologies (MPCA & private financial institutions)
- Small business environmental improvement loans [0% interest for capital equipment purchases] (MPCA)
- Funding for brownfield investigation (MPCA)
- Clean Water Partnership loans (MPCA): Second-tier loans allow local entities to make loans to landowners and other stakeholders.
- Business Pollution Prevention Program [Up to $50,000 or up to 75% of project costs] (BizRecycling and formerly Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy and MN Chamber of Commerce Waste Wise): Consider this opportunity if your business uses or produces any of the following chemicals with volatile organic compounds (VOCs); perchloroethylene (PERC); trichloroethylene (TCE); ground level ozone; fine particulate matter (PM2.5); or hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
- Waste Reduction & Innovation Grants (BizRecycling): Up to $50,000 for eligible businesses, schools, and colleges to reduce waste through reuse, technology enhancements, or production redesign.
- Food Recovery Grants (BizRecycling): Up to $20,000 for eligible food businesses, food shelves, and farmers markets to recover surplus edible food to distribute to people in need.
- Recycling Grants (BizRecycling): Up to $10,000 for eligible businesses and up to $20,000 for eligible apartment buildings to improve recycling and food waste collection.
- Bin-Only Grants (BizRecycling): Helps small businesses kickstart or improve recycling and organics collection with up to $2,500 in trash, recycling, and organics bins and equipment.
- Safety Grant Program [Up to $10,000] (MNOSHA WSC): For projects designed to reduce the risk of illness or injury to their employees. Applications are reviewed over two-month intervals.