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.

Rising seas push too much salt into the Florida Everglades
Rising sea levels put extra pressure on coastal bedrock in South Florida. Eventually, as seawater moves in, it could contaminate plants on the surface and the region's stores of freshwater beneath.
In battle to keep lead from water, St. Paul digs deep
The city's ambitious plan to get rid of thousands of lead service lines isn't a perfect solution to removing lead from drinking water, but it's progress.
MPR News Special Report: Minnesota's water quality problem
Minnesota is rich in water, so we don't have a supply problem. But regulators say 40 percent of Minnesota's lakes and streams are polluted.
On Tuesday, state and federal officials marked the 1,000th easement in Minnesota at a ceremony near Moorhead, Minn.
Dogs as sentinels: Blue-green algae brings toxic mystery to Minnesota waters
Across Minnesota each summer, sky-blue waters transform into pea-green soup, a sign of possible toxins. It's happening more often -- and farther north -- than ever before, suggesting that climate change is a key player.
A warming world means less water, with economic consequences
We know that climate change will make water scarcer. But it could also have big economic impacts, Richard Damania of the World Bank says.
From septics to sewers on Rainy Lake's south shore
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates that one in every five of the state's half-million septic systems is failing. Leaking sewage takes a heavy environmental toll, but across most of the state, it's an invisible problem.