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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.

State: EPA wrong to reverse Mesabi Nugget ruling

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.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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$50M pipe might not restore White Bear Lake levels

$50M pipe might not restore White Bear Lake levels

A draft of a report by the Metropolitan Council says shifting some suburbs' reliance from groundwater to Mississippi River water could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. It also says piping water from the river to raise levels in White Bear Lake would cost $50 million but leave officials uncertain of the impact.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Minnesota backers praise EPA carbon rules

Minnesota backers praise EPA carbon rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency isn't holding any of its carbon emission rule hearings in Minnesota. So supporters of the rules held their own.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Quest to save groundwater aims at love for lush, green lawns

Quest to save groundwater aims at love for lush, green lawns

Lawn watering is one of the biggest uses of groundwater in Minnesota, but a combination of technology, pricing and attitude change suggests that residents may be starting to change their behavior.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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11 ways to use less water on your lawn

11 ways to use less water on your lawn

Minnesotans are becoming more aware of the pressure on the state's groundwater resources. Here are 11 ways to use less water on your lawn.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Crop switch could cost millions in water contamination

Crop switch could cost millions in water contamination

A University of Minnesota study says a recent switch from grassland to crops in southeastern Minnesota could increase the number of household wells contaminated with nitrates.
by Mark Steil

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State officials promise tougher approach on nitrates contaminating groundwater

State officials promise tougher approach on nitrates contaminating groundwater

Minnesotans are spending millions of dollars to deal with nitrate contamination in their water, and the state agriculture department says it's time to insist that farmers do more to prevent the problem.
by Mark Steil

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EPA rejects Mesabi Nugget water quality variance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is explaining its reversal of a decision that would have given a Minnesota iron pellet facility more time to comply with water quality laws.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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What's up at the lake (or river)? There's a website for that

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's new web page allows people to look up specific bodies of water to be connected with information about everything from swimming conditions to fish consumption to invasive species.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Study: Chemicals spreading in Minnesota groundwater

Study: Chemicals spreading in Minnesota groundwater

A state and federal study of Minnesota's groundwater has found increasing evidence of consumer and other chemicals known as 'contaminants of emerging concern.'
by Elizabeth Dunbar and Dave Peters

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