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.

Getting water to crops when they're thirstiest pays off
A new project measures precise shifts in weather and soil moisture to help central Minnesota irrigators try to limit groundwater contamination.
For Walker-Burke, quiet differences on environment
In a race that has largely revolved around who can create jobs, both candidates are sticking to general comments about balancing the need to protect natural resources with economic development.
Satellite: A better way to measure groundwater levels?
Researchers are using satellite data to measure groundwater use and how much is left. A key scientist will talk about the effort tonight in St. Paul.
The discovery of Eurasian milfoil in a Stearns County lake has renewed interest in the water quality of Middle Spunk Lake.
Judge won’t place blame for White Bear Lake water woes
Ramsey District Judge Margaret Marrinan refused to decide by summary judgment whether the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is at fault for the low water levels in White Bear Lake.
Water woes in California hit historic lows
As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the state's lakes and reservoirs are reaching historic lows. A series of recent images from the air help put the water shortage in perspective.
Twin Cities environmentalists join fight over Cargill's Arkansas hog operations
Some of the anger over the facility comes from the fact that it's located on a tributary just six miles from the Buffalo River, an area they gets special protection from the National Park Service.
New student housing at the University of Minnesota includes a system for collecting stormwater from the roof and using it to flush the toilets for 600 students.
Minnesota starts to think about re-using wastewater
Treated sewage water is getting used again in a few places, watering golf courses, washing trucks and sweeping streets. The economics in a water-rich state make for slow change, but those who have tried it think it could be a way of the future.
The EPA approved the state's water quality variance for Mesabi Nugget in 2012, allowing the facility to exceed water quality standards for four pollutants: hardness, bicarbonates, conductivity and total dissolved solids. But the EPA reversed itself earlier this month.