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.

Ely residents sharply divided over mining near BWCA
Today is the last day for the public to comment on whether two controversial mining leases near the Boundary Waters should be renewed.
Hundreds in Duluth comment on minerals mining near Boundary Waters
Around 500 people filled a "listening session" Wednesday held by the U.S. Forest Service on two controversial mining leases near the Boundary Waters.
MN adds more than 300 lakes, streams to polluted water list
About two-thirds of Minnesota watersheds have been tested and 40 percent of Minnesota rivers and lakes have been found to be impaired by farm runoff, bacteria, mercury or other pollutants.
PolyMet files first major mine permit applications
The project promises an economic revival to northeast Minnesota, but opponents say it comes with unprecedented environmental risks.
Climate change may already be shifting clouds toward the poles
Scientists who have been tracking cloud patterns over the past two decades say the shifts they're seeing seem to correlate closely with what's predicted by computer models of Earth's changing climate.
How does climate change aggravate street flooding?
Climate scientists have noted that warming temperatures put more moisture in the atmosphere, leading to heavier rains.
Communities uneasy as utilities look for places to store coal ash
In 2014, after disastrous spills and opposition from environmentalists, the EPA imposed new rules on the storage of coal ash. Two towns are pushing back against different ways of storing the ash.
It's not easy running a hospital without running water
A third of hospitals surveyed in low- and middle-income countries report they do not have running water all the time. And sometimes not at all.
Are your pipes made of lead? Here's a quick way to find out
Use this Web tool to help us build a map of where lead pipes could be affecting people's drinking water.