Minnesota § 115.061 - DUTY TO NOTIFY; AVOIDING WATER POLLUTION
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 115.061 — DUTY TO NOTIFY; AVOIDING WATER POLLUTION, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 115.061. DUTY TO NOTIFY; AVOIDING WATER POLLUTION
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), it is the duty of every person to notify the agency immediately of the discharge, accidental or otherwise, of any substance or material under its control which, if not recovered, may cause pollution of waters of the state, and the responsible person shall recover as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible such substance or material and take immediately such other action as may be reasonably possible to minimize or abate pollution of waters of the state caused thereby.
(b) Notification is not required under paragraph (a) for a discharge of five gallons or less of petroleum, as defined in section 115C.02, subdivision 10. This paragraph does not affect the other requirements of paragraph (a).
(c) Promptly after notifying the agency of a discharge under paragraph (a), a publicly owned treatment works or a publicly or privately owned domestic sewer system owner must provide notice to the potentially impacted public and to any downstream drinking water facility that may be impacted by the discharge. Notice to the public and to any drinking water facility must be made using the most efficient communications system available to the facility owner such as in person, telephone call, radio, social media, web page, or another expedited form. In addition, signage must be posted at all impacted public use areas within the same jurisdiction or notification must be provided to the entity that has jurisdiction over any impacted public use areas. A notice under this paragraph must include the date and time of the discharge, a description of the material released, a warning of the potential public health risk, and the permittee's contact information.
(d) The agency must provide guidance that includes but is not limited to methods and protocols for providing timely notice under this section.
History:
1969 c 931 s 4; 1993 c 341 art 1 s 1; 2023 c 60 art 3 s 5
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Source: official Minnesota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 115.061
What does Minnesota Statutes § 115.061 cover?
Section 115.061 ("DUTY TO NOTIFY; AVOIDING WATER POLLUTION") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 115.061?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 115.061" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 115.061 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.