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.

Fertilizer rules to start this week, but will they curb Minn. groundwater’s nitrate problem?
Starting this week, farmers in parts of Minnesota will face new restrictions on how they apply nitrogen fertilizer. The regulations are aimed at reducing nitrate contamination in the state's groundwater. But whether they'll have a real impact on a growing health and environmental problem is still up for debate.
Source: Michigan reaches $600M deal in Flint water crisis
The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $600 million to compensate Flint residents whose health was damaged by lead-tainted drinking water. That's according to an attorney involved in settlement negotiations.
Study finds pharmaceuticals, other chemicals in remote Minnesota lakes
The chemicals were often found in lakes that receive discharged water from wastewater treatment plants. But they also turned up in remote lakes with little or no human development, sometimes at levels similar to more populated lakes.
More PFAS foam found in Twin Cities' Battle Creek
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is advising people to keep away from foam in the east Twin Cities metro-area creek, after samples of it have again tested positive for elevated levels of the chemicals known as PFAS.
Dispute over environmental fund leaves projects on wolves, weeds and mussels in limbo
Dozens of projects benefiting Minnesota’s natural resources are now in limbo because of a political dispute at the state Legislature. At the center: An ongoing disagreement over whether a state trust fund should be used to pay for wastewater treatment projects.