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.

January 8, 2014 1:36 AM

What is your community’s most significant water problem?

“Even in the land of 10,000 lakes, water is no longer unlimited. Lakes shrink, groundwater drops, wells go dry or get contaminated. Some cities have to look harder for good municipal water or pay more to treat it. Twenty years ago these were isolated problems. But three-quarters of Minnesota’s residents get their water from aquifer-tapping…

by Michael Olson

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January 7, 2014 7:44 AM

“Beneath the Surface:” Help us look at Minnesota’s pending groundwater challenge

MPR News’ Ground Level project is launching an examination of the growing concern that Minnesota’s groundwater — source of water to three-quarters of the state’s residents — is on a path that can’t be sustained.

by Dave Peters

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January 5, 2014 5:00 PM

Fates of wild rice, mining intertwined in northern Minn.

A 40-year-old state law limits how much of a mining byproduct called "sulfate" can be discharged into wild rice producing waters. Prompted by mining industry concerns that the standard is too stringent, the state has been giving it another look.

by Dan Kraker

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December 24, 2013 12:30 PM

DNR sticks to 90-day window on mine comments

Agency head says comment period for PolyMet mine already has been extended once.

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December 23, 2013 4:00 AM

To clean up coal, Obama pushes more oil production

America's newest and cleanest coal-fired power plant comes with a catch: The heat-trapping carbon dioxide removed from its smokestack pollution will help force more oil out of the ground.

by The Associated Press

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December 5, 2013 5:55 PM

Water treatment a central question in PolyMet's environmental study

A proposed copper-nickel mining operation in northeast Minnesota would need long-term water treatment to ensure potentially toxic rock won't pollute area waterways, according to an environmental review released Friday.

by Elizabeth Dunbar and Dan Kraker

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December 3, 2013 9:04 AM

Otto: Think of taxpayers when considering copper-nickel mining

State Auditor Rebecca Otto has been an outspoken skeptic of proposals to mine copper and nickel in northern Minnesota.

by Cathy Wurzer

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December 2, 2013 9:10 AM

Photos: At PolyMet, ramping up to mine copper

PolyMet Mining hopes to unlock copper in the rock of northeastern Minnesota. Their plans bring hope for economic development and fear of environmental damage to the region that used to be the hub of the iron ore industry in the state.