Laws and Rules
Drinking Water and Source Water Protection Programs

The Minnesota Department of Health enforces the federal Safe Drinking Water Act including the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations created under the Act. These regulations are legally enforceable standards and treatment techniques that apply to public water systems in order to protect drinking and source water. The Minnesota Department of Health is authorized to enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act by Minnesota Statute. Minnesota has also adopted rules to implement Safe Drinking Water Act provisions, the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, Operator Certification, and Source Water Protection based on state and federal authorities.  Laws and rules supporting of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Drinking Water program are summarized below. 

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Community and Noncommunity Public Water Supply

• Statutory authority for the Minnesota Department of Health Drinking Water Protection Program (Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144)
• Minnesota rules governing the public water systems (Minnesota Rules, chapter 4720)
• Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (US Code, Title 42, Chapter 6A, Subchapter XII)
• National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and Implementation (Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 141 and Part 142)

Drinking Water Revolving Fund

• Statutory Authority for Drinking Water Revolving Fund (Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A.081)
• Minnesota rules governing Minnesota Department of Health’s administration of the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (Minnesota Rules, parts 4720.9000 to 4720.9080)
• Rules governing Public Facilities Authority’s administration of the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (Public Facilities Authority Rules, parts 7380.0250 to 7380.0480)

Drinking Water Operator Certification

• Minnesota rules governing water supply systems and operator certifications (Minnesota Statutes, sections 115.71 - 115.77)
• Minnesota rules regarding water treatment certification and classifications of systems and facilities (Minnesota Rules, chapter 9400)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Related Rules
    • Water and Sewage Utilities Sector (NAICS 2213)
    • About Operator Certification

Source Water Protection

• Minnesota Wellhead Protection Program Requirements (Minnesota Rules, chapter 4720, parts 4720.5100-5590)
• Statutory authority for Minnesota's Wellhead Protection Program (Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103I), chapter 103I.101, subdivision 5[8])
• Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requiring state programs to establish wellhead protection areas (US Code, Title 42, Chapter 6A, Subchapter XII, Part E, Section 300h-7)
• Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requiring state programs to conduct source water quality assessments (US Code, Title 42, Chapter 6A, Subchapter XII, Part E, Section 300j-13)
• Minnesota Well Code governing the construction, maintenance, and sealing of wells (Minnesota Rules, chapter 4725)

Rulemaking activity

• Drinking Water Revolving Fund
  Public Health Priority Points Rules: Proposed Revisions
• Source Water Protection Program
  Wellhead Protection Rule Revision
• Drinking Water Protection
  Public Water Supply Rules: Proposed Revisions

Related Topics

• Well Management Program Laws and Rules

Past Revisions

• Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
• Minnesota Fluoridation Rule Revision