The Saint Paul Port Authority is a careful steward of the Mississippi River and the pockets of groundwater beneath each of its business centers.

From a new water treatment operation at our Southport Business Center by the Hawkins Chemical Co. to the water-cleansing operations at our Arlington-Jackson, Williams Hill, Red Rock and the Great Northern Business Centers North and South, the Port works to eliminate groundwater contamination and then protects water from further damage.

Port projects typically include a variety of evaluations related to run-off/storm water management protection, including geologic and topographical data, surface water and groundwater resources, soil data, pollution sources and the unique features of the property.

Some of the drainage ponds at the Port's business centers also are lined so that drainage from the property does not push residue contaminants into the groundwater.

At the Southport river terminal, for example, Hawkins Chemical built a ponding system to catch any storm water or residue from the loading and unloading of its water-treatment products from rail or barge from getting into the Mississippi River.

Barge traffic also is more fuel efficient and emits less pollutants into the environment than truck or rail traffic.