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.

30 years later, echoes of largest inland oil spill remain in Line 3 fight
About 50 people gathered at the Prairie River near the site of a crude oil spill in Grand Rapids Wednesday. Thirty years ago, on March 3, 1991, the Line 3 oil pipeline ruptured at the site, spilling 1.7 million gallons of crude oil into a wetland and onto the frozen Prairie River. It's still the largest inland oil spill in U.S. history.
Southern cities hit hard by storms face new crisis: No water
Busted water pipes ruptured by record-low temperatures have created a shortage of clean drinking water, forced the closure of the Memphis airport for passenger flights on Friday and left hospitals scrambling to maintain sanitary conditions.
'It's life and death': Texans still without power as nation faces more winter storms
Nationwide, more than 40 deaths have been blamed on the weather this week — some who died trying to stay warm in their homes. Thousands of Texans remained without electricity or safe drinking water after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state's power grid and utilities.
Report: MPCA faltered in oversight of Water Gremlin’s air emissions
A new report from a state watchdog office says the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency should have done more to regulate a White Bear Township manufacturer with a history of air pollution problems.
Court: Regulators were correct in applying drinking-water standards to groundwater in Minntac permit
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday said state regulators correctly applied drinking-water standards to groundwater when issuing a permit to an Iron Range mine in 2018, reversing a lower court's 2019 decision.
Minn. agencies roll out plan to tackle ‘forever chemicals’
The statewide “blueprint” calls for the state to enact stronger regulations, including designating PFAS as hazardous substances under Minnesota’s Superfund law.
Corporations nudge farmers to help the environment
Cargill and General Mills are offering incentives to farmers who adopt the principles of regenerative agriculture. It's a set of farming practices that make growing food more environmentally friendly. And as interest grows, so does the debate over how to define and measure the new system.