Enbridge Owes Nearly $3 Million for Breaching Aquifer During Line 3 Construction in Minnesota
December 24, 2025 | Source: The Minnesota Star Tribune | by Eleanor Hildebrandt
Enbridge will pay the state $2.8 million for breaching an aquifer in Aitkin County while building the Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota in 2021.
The breach southwest of Hill City caused the upwelling of groundwater and was one of four aquifers ruptured by construction of the $3 billion, 340-mile pipeline.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced the latest settlement with the Canadian company this week.
Enbridge owes $300,000 in civil penalties, $1.2 million to DNR-selected projects that benefit natural resources and $1.2 million for mitigation of any future impacts that the breach may have on Moose Lake or natural resources in the area.
The breach was discovered in 2022 at the Moose Lake aquifer near Swatara. For over a year, Enbridge stabilized the site with DNR oversight.
According to a news release, the DNR has established long-term monitoring locations and protocols for the aquifer. Enbridge will pay the DNR an additional $100,000 for the ongoing monitoring.
In total, the company has agreed to pay more than $13 million over aquifer breaches.