Welcome to the WRC

Color satellite photo of the Great Lakes produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

WRC Models Impact of Toxic Chemicals in Great Lakes

Home to 35 million people, the Great Lakes Basin contains 22 percent of the world’s freshwater—and several classes of synthetic organic chemicals that pose potential threats to human and ecological health. These synthetic compounds, referred to as persistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals, or PBTs, include “legacy” pollutants such as PCBs, and chemicals of more recent concern such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorooctane sulfonates. more >>

Three-State Survey Finds Households Flushing More Organic Material Than Expected Down the Drain

Households are flushing more organic material—including medicines and cleaning and personal care products—down the drain compared to historic data, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center (WRC). The yearlong monitoring of households in Colorado, Florida and Minnesota reinforces concerns that Americans in general may be adding more household chemicals and pharmaceuticals to waste water. more >>

Upcoming Events

10/26-28/09: 2009 Minnesota Water Resources Conference

News and Notes

Want to know what the Clean Water Council is up to?
Visit the Clean Water Council web page or download the Biennial Report to the Legislature (.pdf). WRC co-director Deb Swackhamer serves as the higher education rep.

Minnegram Delivery Survey