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.

Big rise in irrigation pumping draws DNR attention to Minnesota's 'Bonanza Valley'
A 175 percent increase in irrigation pumping over 25 years has caused the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to single out this west central Minnesota area as one of three places to focus on groundwater management.
The layer cake beneath Park Rapids
Figuring out the geology beneath Park Rapids, Minn., is a good primer for how Minnesota’s groundwater situation is important, complicated and very local.
Irrigation boosts potatoes, but Park Rapids pays more for water
Increased irrigation pumping is driving up the cost of water for residents in Park Rapids, Minn., and is a big reason the state has established one of three groundwater management areas here.
DNR seeks tougher groundwater measurement
Suspecting it is getting bad information from some water users, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has asked the Legislature for stricter requirements and penalties for measuring what wells are pumping.
The PolyMet mining damage deposit: A landlord's advice
A landlord hopes a tenant's damage deposit will cover cleanup and repair costs, just as the state of Minnesota hopes financial assurance would protect the state's taxpayers from future cleanup and reclamation costs years from now at PolyMet's proposed copper-nickel mine and processing facility.
Feds to spend $30M on forests across US, including in Minn.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday it will spend $30 million this year on forest restoration projects in 12 states to reduce the threat of wildfires, protect water quality and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.