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.

Swimmers complete record 24-hour Lake Superior relay — without wetsuits
Six swimmers completed a 48-mile, 24-hour relay in Lake Superior, from Split Rock Lighthouse to Duluth, without wetsuits — to set a record and to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on one of the world’s largest lakes.
3M 'forever chemicals' settlement moves forward
Attorneys general in 22 states have dropped their objections to a multibillion-dollar settlement over water contamination by chemicals made by 3M. Lawsuits sought damages for contamination of public water supplies.
Brainerd considers contentious question of chlorinating the city's drinking water
Currently, Brainerd is the largest city in Minnesota that doesn't regularly chlorinate its water, only when there's an issue. The city has a long history of fighting additives to its drinking water.
New law aids campaign to curb winter litter on lakes
A campaign to stop trash and waste dumping on frozen Minnesota lakes gets a boost from a new state law: The Keep It Clean campaign is at the state fair to educate winter anglers.
Brainerd lifts boil water advisory
The city of Brainerd announced Wednesday afternoon that it has lifted the boil water advisory that had been in effect for nearly a week.
Boil water advisory issued for city of Brainerd
A boil water advisory is in effect for the city of Brainerd, Minn., after testing found bacterial contamination in the city water system.
Southern Minnesota city lifts boil water advisory
The city of Eagle Lake, Minn. — just east of Mankato — asked residents and businesses earlier this week to boil water from the municipal water system after a power outage led to a drop in water pressure.
Minnesota Supreme Court deals another setback to proposed NorthMet mine
The Minnesota Supreme Court has dealt another blow to the proposed NorthMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, sending a key water quality permit back to state regulators for additional work.
DNR confirms new Line 3 aquifer breach in northern Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed it’s investigating the rupture near Moose Lake, south of Hill City in Aitkin County in an area with complex wetlands and peat bogs. It’s the fourth confirmed breach of a groundwater aquifer along the Line 3 corridor.