North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

09/29/2026

Congratulations to Emilee Novak, NPS Program Coordinator with DEQ’s Watershed Management Program, on receiving the Horizon Award from the North Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society (NDSWCS)!

The award recognizes a chapter member’s outstanding efforts over the past year. Emilee has been involved in the National SWCS Emerging Leaders Program and Science and Policy Committee and coordinates the ND chapter’s annual undergraduate scholarship.

Congratulations, Emilee, on this well-deserved recognition!

09/28/2026

DEQ Pop Quiz: True or false? 💧 Water that enters a storm drain goes to a treatment plant before reaching a river or lake.

False. Stormwater can flow directly to rivers, lakes and streams without treatment, carrying along litter and other pollutants it picks up on the way. Help protect our water by keeping litter out of streets and gutters.

Learn more: https://deq.nd.gov/WQ/2_NDPDES_Permits/8_Stormwater/StW.aspx?

09/25/2026

Tomorrow is National Public Lands Day! 🌿

If you’re spending time at a North Dakota park, trail or other public space this weekend, take a little extra time to care for it. Pick up litter you come across, stay on marked trails and leave the place ready for the next visitor.

Small actions help care for the places we share.

09/23/2026

Good news for five North Dakota communities! 💧

The State Revolving Fund programs awarded $18.9 million in loans to help Drayton, Harwood, Cando, Washburn and Williston improve their water infrastructure. The projects include replacing aging water and sewer mains, improving water service and removing lead service lines.

See what’s planned in each community:https://deq.nd.gov/PressReleases/2026-09-23-639256923544782721.pdf

09/23/2026

How does DEQ know what’s in North Dakota’s air?

The Air Quality Monitoring Program collects data from monitoring stations across the state. The program:

✅ Measures pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
✅ Maintains monitoring equipment and reviews the data for accuracy.
✅ Uses the information to track air quality and determine whether North Dakota meets state and federal standards.

You can view air quality data and reports online.

Learn more: https://deq.nd.gov/aq/monitoring/

09/21/2026

🍂 Temperatures are cooling, leaves are changing and fall is just around the corner.

As those colorful leaves start making their way to the ground, put them to work! Mow a light layer into your lawn, add shredded leaves to your compost pile or leave a few in place to provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Want to learn more about backyard composting? Check out our composting guide: https://deq.nd.gov/WM/Recycling/CompostingInYourBackyard.aspx?

09/18/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Jennifer Turnbow as the new director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality!

Jennifer brings more than 20 years of experience in the environmental, engineering, infrastructure and transportation sectors.

Learn more: https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/armstrong-appoints-jennifer-turnbow-lead-nd-department-environmental-quality

Today, we appointed Jennifer Turnbow, senior director of business operations and field services at Ulteig Engineers, to lead the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Jen brings more than two decades of experience in the environmental, engineering, infrastructure and transportation sectors, with a proven track record of leading organizations and overseeing complex projects across North Dakota.

Our citizens will benefit from her deep understanding of the relationship between our state’s infrastructure, industry and natural resources, and her strong commitment to the environmental stewardship that allows North Dakota to maintain some of the cleanest air, land and water in the nation.

https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/armstrong-appoints-jennifer-turnbow-lead-nd-department-environmental-quality

09/17/2026

⚠️ Harmful Algal Bloom Update ⚠️

A new harmful algal bloom Advisory is now in effect for Larimore Dam in Grand Forks County. HABs have now been identified at 20 locations across North Dakota, with 14 Advisories and six Warnings currently in effect.

View the full list of HAB Advisories and Warnings:
https://www.deq.nd.gov/publications/WQ/3_WM/HABs/HABsListings.pdf

If the water looks green or blue-green or has a thick surface scum, stay out. Harmful algal blooms can produce toxins that may pose health risks to people and animals.

Avoid contact with algae-covered water.

Report suspected blooms: 701-328-5210 or [email protected]

When in doubt, stay out.

09/15/2026

We’re excited to launch the new State Revolving Funds wordmark 🎉. Two agencies. Two funds. One mission. The hand and droplet design represents the partnership between DEQ and PFA and our shared commitment to uplifting communities through supportive water infrastructure. Since 1990 and 1998, our programs have provided more than $2 billion in low-interest loans to build and protect clean water systems including $600 million in the past four years. Learn more: https://www.pfa.nd.gov/srf

09/10/2026

⚠️ Harmful Algal Bloom Alert ⚠️

A new harmful algal bloom advisory is now in effect for Blacktail Dam in Williams County. There are now 18 waterbodies under active HAB advisories or warnings across North Dakota.

View all active advisories and warnings: tinyurl.com/WMP-HABS

If the water looks green or blue-green or has a thick surface scum, stay out. Harmful algal blooms can produce toxins that may pose health risks to people and animals.

Avoid contact with algae-covered water.

Report suspected blooms: 701-328-5210 or [email protected]

When in doubt, stay out.