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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.

U study: Wetlands key to keeping harmful nitrates out of waters

U study: Wetlands key to keeping harmful nitrates out of waters

A new University of Minnesota study found wetlands are providing a significant water quality benefit by keeping nitrates from crop fertilizer out of rivers.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Minn. cities say they need $5 billion to fix aging sewers

Minn. cities say they need $5 billion to fix aging sewers

Most of the cost is to fix aging or inadequate pipes and pumping systems. Stricter water quality regulations account for only about 5 percent of the funds needed.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Minn. catching up on water recycling as groundwater supply shrinks

Minn. catching up on water recycling as groundwater supply shrinks

Officials and environmental groups see collecting, treating and reusing dirty water as a way to reduce demand on clean, drinkable water sources. More cities and businesses are catching on, but we aren't as far along as some states in the West.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Free nitrate tests meet farmer resistance in Brown County

Free nitrate tests meet farmer resistance in Brown County

Brown County recently became the first Minnesota county not to accept the Department of Agriculture program after citizens voiced concerns that the data could be used to target farmers for additional regulations.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Daily Digest: TGIF Edition

A Friday roundup of some Minnesota political stories.
by Mike Mulcahy

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Judge rejects change to Minnesota's wild rice water standard

Judge rejects change to Minnesota's wild rice water standard

An administrative law judge has rejected an attempt to change Minnesota's water quality standard for protecting wild rice, saying it violates federal and state law and puts an unfair burden on Native Americans who harvest wild rice for food.
by Dan Kraker

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Facing massive storm costs, how resilient is the insurance industry?

Facing massive storm costs, how resilient is the insurance industry?

The cost of storms fueled by climate change exceeded $300 million last year. We discuss what that means for the insurance industry, plus the implications of too much winter salt and how the media fails to attribute climate change to extreme weather.
by Paul Huttner

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Study finds salty cocktail changing pH of freshwater rivers

Study finds salty cocktail changing pH of freshwater rivers

A study out this week shows that rivers in the upper Midwest --particularly North Dakota -- are becoming saltier faster than the rest of the country. Yes, saltier.
by Cathy Wurzer and Max Nesterak

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Shingle Creek's cautionary tale for Minnesota's water

Shingle Creek's cautionary tale for Minnesota's water

Road salt is likely responsible for impairing 50 bodies of water in Minnesota. Looking at the first stream on that list shows how tough it is to reverse pollution from chloride.
by Kirsti Marohn

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State to deny water pollution waiver for Minntac mine

State to deny water pollution waiver for Minntac mine

U.S. Steel had asked for a 20-year variance from water quality standards for sulfate and other pollutants in water from its massive tailings basin that seeps into groundwater and nearby streams at its Mountain Iron facilities.
by Dan Kraker

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