Focus on New Laws: Sewer System Spill Notification Law Clarified

The law clarifies that downstream spill notifications must explicitly include tribal governments.

During the 2026 legislative session, the Legislature amended Minnesota Statutes, section 115.061, which establishes reporting, mitigation, and notification requirements when a person — defined to include cities — spills a substance or material that, if not recovered, could pollute waters of the state.

For cities, one example is when collected sewage escapes the wastewater treatment system due to weather events or equipment issues.

The amendment clarifies that tribal governments located downstream of a spill must be included among the parties notified when a reportable spill occurs. The League had no concerns with the change. The existing state statute already required notification to potentially affected members of the public and downstream drinking water facilities. Explicitly including tribal governments provided additional clarity.

What this means for cities

This change makes clear that if a city experiences a spill that requires reporting and notification under this statute, downstream tribal governments are included among those notified.

Additional resource

Learn more about Tribal Nations in Minnesota through the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.

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