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.

Many common sunscreens may harm coral. Here's what to use instead
Hawaii is about to ban the sale of sunscreens containing certain chemicals which have been shown to harm coral reefs. Environmentalists urge a switch to mineral-based products.
These tiny little bugs are a harbinger of wetland health -- and they're disappearing
Minnesota's amphipod population has been in decline for more than 20 years, and scientists say only five percent of wetlands where they could live actually have a healthy population. Now, they're studying them intensely in an effort to save them.
DNR plan to save algae-plagued lake sparks optimism, opposition
What if you could take a Minnesota lake with some of the worst water quality in the state and hit the reset button? That's what the DNR wants to do to Little Rock Lake near St. Cloud. It plans to lower the water level to spur plant growth and clear up the lake.
Rivers of Oil, Episode 4: The rallying cry
In the early 2000s, the Keystone XL oil pipeline became one of the most powerful symbols in the fight against climate change. And since then, it's not just local landowners fighting pipelines in their backyards anymore. It's environmental groups, Native Americans tribes, farmers and ranchers, and a crucial addition to the alliance -- climate change activists. But how did it begin?
The bountiful benefits of bringing back the beavers
Hundreds of millions of beavers used to populate the West but were hunted to near extinction. Turns out, beavers are critical to healthy water ecosystems, so now there are efforts to bring them back.
Toxic algae problem will 'get worse in a big way' as climate continues to warm
Across the U.S., reservoirs that supply drinking water and lakes used for recreation are experiencing toxic algae blooms with growing frequency. The trend represents another impact of global warming and raises looming questions about the effects on human health, researchers say.
Regulators focus on need for new pipeline as decision looms
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission worked through questions of Enbridge Energy and opponents of the Line 3 oil pipeline project on Tuesday, hinting that it might take them longer than expected to discuss the matter.