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.

Along the North Shore, sleepy Silver Bay embraces development to put itself 'on the map'
Construction is set to begin on a nearly $25 million development of townhomes and vacation rentals in Silver Bay, the first of several projects to reinvent the city originally built as a mining company town.
Large invasive carp catch in Mississippi triggers worry, new calls for deterrent
There's no evidence yet that invasive carp are reproducing in Minnesota. Still, some environmental advocates say the DNR should move quicker to stop invasive carp from establishing a permanent presence here.
Protect, serve — and paddle? Ely tries North Woods pitch to recruit new cops
The city of Ely — the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area — has taken a creative approach to a statewide and national issue, by offering a $3,800 canoe package to help recruit and retain badly needed police officers.
'Pick it up': New Minnesota law aims to curb litter left on ice
Garbage left behind on frozen lakes is one of the biggest complaints conservation officers hear every year. The law, which took effect July 1, requires all trash to be placed in a container that's secured to an ice house or vehicle.
State agencies pledge new steps to reduce nitrate in southeast Minnesota
Last month, the EPA said state agencies need to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the nitrate problem in eight southeast Minnesota counties’ drinking water. In a letter Friday, commissioners of the departments of health, agriculture and the Pollution Control Agency promised to do more – but said they may need more federal or state money to do so.
Judge throws out lawsuit by southeastern Minnesota dairy farm seeking to triple in size
Environmental advocates, including the Land Stewardship Project, opposed the expansion. They said the additional manure generated by a larger operation would increase the risk of water pollution in a region where nitrate in groundwater already is a problem.
Tackling the 'big brown spot': Keeping fields in living cover could be path to reducing nitrate
Commercial fertilizer and manure applied to crop farms is a major source of nitrate in Minnesota’s water. A new report finds planting crops that keep the soil covered year-round benefits both the environment and farmers.