Water

Water shortages and problems around Minnesota — and the country — have many wondering what is the true cost of clean and reliable water. This reporting is supported in part by The Water Main, a project of American Public Media.

Trump’s EPA wants to narrow the scope of federal water protections. What does that mean in Minnesota?
Environmental advocates say the proposal could lead to increased pollution and destruction of wetlands that provide valuable benefits, including flood protection and wildlife habitat.
Mower County water wells show elevated levels of arsenic and manganese
State health officials report that private well water testing has detected high levels of arsenic and manganese in the wells of some homes in southeast Minnesota’s Mower County. The levels are not high enough to endanger people’s health, but they are a concern.
More cities are seeing PFAS pollution in drinking water. Here's what Louisville found
Workers at the drinking water plant in Louisville, Ky. saw a sudden spike in the level of a 'forever chemical.' They traced it up the Ohio River to a factory embroiled in a pollution lawsuit. 
‘Sticky’ pine needles could provide clues about forever chemicals in Minnesota’s air
Scientists want to better understand how PFAS move through the environment. It turns out that coniferous needles make surprisingly good natural air monitors. 
Lawsuit alleges Hermantown kept public in dark over data center proposal
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and a grassroots group called "Stop the Hermantown Data Center" filed the lawsuit. It alleges the city's review didn't describe the proposal as a data center, and failed to provide details about the project's potential environmental impacts.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe sues 3M, other companies over 'forever chemicals' contamination
The lawsuit says the band's testing found "alarming" levels of PFAS in lake water, fish and deer on the Leech Lake Reservation. Tribal members depend on hunting, fishing and cultivating wild rice for food, and for cultural and religious practices.
Whitefish Chain’s early attack on invasive species shows signs of success
Starry stonewort, a fast-growing invasive algae, was discovered in the Rush Lake channel. The Whitefish Chain of Lakes Association mounted a counter-attack, including hand pulling, chemical treatment and monitoring.