Some permits may have requirements specific to silica sand mining. The MPCA issues air and water permits for many sand and gravel mining operations.

The nature of the project will determine whether the local unit of government or the MPCA is the Responsible Governing Unit for environmental review. The 2013 Legislature passed legislation requiring an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for silica sand projects that meet certain size, storage, or throughput criteria. MPCA and DNR permits may be needed (e.g., water quality, discharge and appropriation wetlands and air emissions). The MPCA and DNR do not have regulatory authority over the end use of mined silica sand. Local units may have additional regulations for development, operation or reclamation of a site. Local governments generally have the greatest opportunity for approving and supervising sand and gravel mining operations. Map - Minnesota frac sand operations - southeast (Minnesota DOT).The three general activities related to silica sand are transport/load, processing facilities, and mines. Agencies collect different data because regulatory authority over each type of activity varies between regulatory agencies. Minnesota state agencies collect data on the locations of silica-sand-related activities and sites. Where are sand-mining activities located in Minnesota? Mining of these deposits has been occurring in the region for many years, however recent years have seen an increase of activity. Southeastern and south central Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin have extensive deposits of sand that meets the specifications required for hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a drilling method used for natural gas and oil wells. Environmental Quality Information System (EQuIS).EDA: Guide to typical Minnesota water quality conditions.

Small Business Environmental Assistance.Changing your pool filtration sand will typically take 1-3 hours, depending on the ease of access around the filter and the condition of your old sand. Changing your silica pool sand after 3 years will increase the quality and clarity of your pool water and reduce the number of chemicals you use. At this point, the gaps between the sand become filled with dirt, and it can no longer remove the debris from your pool effectively. Our high-grade silica sand for pool filters has a general life cycle of between 2-5 years. How Often Should You Replace Your Pool Filtration Sand? As the water seeps through the filter, the large and small dirt particles stick to the sand, with crystal clear water trickling out through the bottom of the filter and back into your pool. The water then flows through the silica pool sand in the filter. To be effective, you must have a swimming pool pump to push the water from the pool to your filter. How Does Silica Sand For Pool Filters Work? If the grains are too big, they will not remove the finer solids in your pool. If the grains are too small, they will pass through the filter and end up back in your pool. There should be no grains that are bigger or smaller than that. That means the smallest grain will be 12 or 16 thousands of an inch, while the largest will be 20 or 30 thousands of an inch. It must be refined silica pool sand with a mesh size of 12×20 or 16×30. To be effective, you can’t just use any sand in your filter. Sand filters are highly effective because, unlike other filter types, they remove larger debris such as insects and leaves as well as invisible dirt particles such as algae and phosphates that are the real pool polluters. This type of filter uses sand to remove dirt and debris from the water. If your swimming pool has a filter, then the likelihood is that it’s a sand filter. If you’d like to get in touch with our team to discuss the amount of sand you’re likely to need or the right mesh size for you, please give us a call on 325.425.0866. Our silica sand for pool filters is available in the most appropriate mesh sizes for all swimming pool filters. Whether you need sand for a private pool or want to buy in bulk for commercial applications, we have the bagging options and shipping processes to deliver your sand to you on time, wherever you are. At PFS, we are proud to offer high-grade silica sand for pool filters from our unique hickory deposit.

Silica sand