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.

DNR to rewrite mining rules to prevent noise and light pollution in Boundary Waters 
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it intends to rewrite its mining rules to better protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area from noise and light pollution, by expanding a mining buffer zone around the wilderness.
Lawmakers approve tougher enforcement, penalties for water permit violators
The bill gives state regulators stronger authority to crack down on violators who pump more water than they're permitted. Farmers worry they could face hefty fines if they overdraw to keep their crops alive during a drought.
Lake Superior: Honoring and protecting Minnesota’s natural wonder
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. MPR News guest host Dan Kraker talks with a scientist, two artists and people who dip into its icy waters about the special relationships Minnesotans have with this natural wonder and how the lake is threatened by climate change.
For the first time, EPA to require taconite plants to slash mercury emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule that for the first time would require mining companies to limit mercury emissions from Minnesota’s six taconite iron ore processing plants.
Camp Ripley to test nearby residents’ water for 'forever chemicals'
Officials are asking to test the drinking water of about 30 property owners who live within a quarter-mile of the camp, where foam containing PFAS chemicals was used for testing and training until 2017.
Monticello says tests show water not affected by nuclear leak
Officials hope to restore public confidence in the city's drinking water, after radioactive tritium leaked from a faulty pipe at the Monticello nuclear plant. The test results showed all samples of the city's water had tritium levels well below federal health limits.