Enbridge to pay $2.8 million over Line 3 aquifer breach in Minnesota
Enbridge has reached a $2.8 million settlement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) after construction crews pierced a groundwater aquifer during Line 3 pipeline work in Aitkin County. The breach, discovered in 2022 near Swatara, caused groundwater to leak to the surface and violated state water rules, raising concerns about potential impacts to sensitive wetlands.
Under the agreement, Enbridge will pay $300,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 for continued monitoring, and $1.2 million toward environmental restoration projects. The company will also secure a $1.2 million financial guarantee to address any future impacts related to the breach—funds it can recoup if no further damage emerges.
The DNR says it has not observed impacts to Moose Lake, a protected wild-rice lake, though increased water levels in the breach area remain evident. Groundwater continues to flow from the site at approximately 10 to 15 gallons per minute, a lower rate than at several other breach sites on the Line 3 route.
Enbridge previously paid more than $11 million to remediate three other aquifer breaches tied to Line 3 construction.
Related News
From Archive
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
Comments