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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scrutiny of PolyMet proposal turns to cleanup
A Minnesota House committee will look Tuesday at whether the financial assurance package can be structured to protect taxpayers now and potentially centuries into the future.
Feds to spend $30M on forests across US, including in Minn.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday it will spend $30 million this year on forest restoration projects in 12 states to reduce the threat of wildfires, protect water quality and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.
There are already more than 700 waters listed as impaired in Wisconsin, including many sections of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers.
Skepticism apparent as state tries new approach to Bonanza Valley water
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources last night launched its third project to deal with water availability differently than in the past. We asked Dan Haugen, a reporter and writer in Sioux Falls, S.D., to check out how it went. Here’s his report. BELGRADE — Central Minnesota farmers and well owners listened with skepticism and Read more →