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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.

Duluth gets EPA grant to protect Lake Superior basin

The so-called "green infrastructure" grant will help the city reduce stormwater runoff from the Lake Superior Zoo parking lot and Chambers Grove Park at Duluth's far southern edge, both of which were extensively damaged by flooding in 2012. A third project will help redevelop a contaminated site near the St. Louis River that once housed a cement plant.
by Dan Kraker

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Should farmers be forced to change?

Should farmers be forced to change?

Farm practices are a key part of the conversation about groundwater sustainability in Minnesota. Are voluntary efforts enough?
by Dave Peters

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Big rise in irrigation pumping draws DNR attention to Minnesota's 'Bonanza Valley'

Big rise in irrigation pumping draws DNR attention to Minnesota's 'Bonanza Valley'

A 175 percent increase in irrigation pumping over 25 years has caused the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to single out this west central Minnesota area as one of three places to focus on groundwater management.
by Dan Haugen

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Health dept. to test east metro water quality through residents' blood

The Minnesota Department of Health says it will study for the third time the levels of perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, in the blood of some residents in Washington County.
by Liala Helal

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The science of water, fertilizer and the perfect potato

The science of water, fertilizer and the perfect potato

Growing a perfect potato depends on the right amount of water and fertilizer, and growers are trying to figure out how to use just the right amount.
by Dan Gunderson

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The layer cake beneath Park Rapids

The layer cake beneath Park Rapids

Figuring out the geology beneath Park Rapids, Minn., is a good primer for how Minnesota’s groundwater situation is important, complicated and very local.
by Dan Gunderson

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Irrigation boosts potatoes, but Park Rapids pays more for water

Irrigation boosts potatoes, but Park Rapids pays more for water

Increased irrigation pumping is driving up the cost of water for residents in Park Rapids, Minn., and is a big reason the state has established one of three groundwater management areas here.
by Dan Gunderson

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DNR seeks tougher groundwater measurement

DNR seeks tougher groundwater measurement

Suspecting it is getting bad information from some water users, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has asked the Legislature for stricter requirements and penalties for measuring what wells are pumping.
by Dave Peters

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The PolyMet mining damage deposit: A landlord's advice

The PolyMet mining damage deposit: A landlord's advice

A landlord hopes a tenant's damage deposit will cover cleanup and repair costs, just as the state of Minnesota hopes financial assurance would protect the state's taxpayers from future cleanup and reclamation costs years from now at PolyMet's proposed copper-nickel mine and processing facility.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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