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.

March 27, 2021 6:00 PM

More ice anglers leave behind more trash on frozen Minnesota lakes

This past winter, the pandemic spurred many Minnesotans to head out on frozen lakes in pursuit of socially distanced recreation — and a few fish, if they were lucky. On some lakes, the uptick in ice fishing meant more litter left behind.

by Kirsti Marohn

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March 25, 2021 3:00 PM

Line 3 construction brings complication, controversy to Fond du Lac Reservation

Three Minnesota Ojibwe bands were among the plaintiffs who brought a case to the state appeals court this week that could bring construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline project to a standstill. But Native nations — including the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa — have a complicated relationship with the project.

by Dan Kraker

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March 23, 2021 7:05 AM

MN appeals court hears arguments in Line 3 challenge, asking whether state needs another oil pipeline

A Minnesota Court of Appeals panel grilled attorneys for Enbridge Energy and the state Public Utilities Commission over whether the company proved there’s demand for the oil the Line 3 pipeline replacement project would carry. Opponents continue to argue that the pipeline isn’t needed.

by Dan Kraker

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March 18, 2021 10:31 AM

‘Forever chemicals’ found in groundwater at dozens of Minn. landfills

Fifteen of the closed landfills were found to have PFAS contamination at least 10 times higher than the state’s health-based advisory values. MPCA officials say the agency will expand water monitoring and testing efforts to get a better idea of the scope of the contamination and if further action is needed.

by Kirsti Marohn

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March 18, 2021 6:36 AM

One of Biden's biggest climate change challenges? The oceans

Climate change is hitting the oceans hard, both warming and acidifying the water. Ocean scientists are hoping the Biden administration dives in quickly to address it.

by Lauren Sommer

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March 17, 2021 9:09 AM

Zebra mussels discovered on aquarium plants at Minnesota pet stores

Invasive zebra mussels, which were accidentally brought to the Great Lakes more than 30 years ago on cargo ships from Europe, have now been found in aquarium plants sold at pet stores in Minnesota and more than 25 other states.

by Dan Kraker

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March 13, 2021 7:25 AM

MPCA wants to change some clean water rules. What does that mean?

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says that the standards haven't changed much since the 1960s, and are based on outdated science. Environmental groups worry the proposed changes could lead to more pollution.

by Kirsti Marohn

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March 11, 2021 5:18 PM

What we know about how climate change is affecting walleye

It’s the center of many Minnesota traditions, but the prized fish isn’t exempt from the effects of climate change.

by Paul Huttner

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March 5, 2021 5:43 AM

Research: Scanning wastewater could offer advance warning of COVID — or other viruses

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota researchers say their effort to learn whether surveying a community’s sewage could help detect the prevalence of COVID-19 — and possibly predict surges of the virus — appears promising.

by Kirsti Marohn