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.

DNR: Elko New Market can pump more groundwater to supply bottled water plant
The DNR said its test results show the increase would not negatively affect aquifer levels or nearby lakes, rivers and streams. Elko New Market will be required to investigate and address any potential impacts on nearby private wells.
Residents complain of water problems after Elko New Market pumping test
The residents say the changes occurred late last year, the same time the city was conducting an aquifer test by pumping groundwater at higher-than-normal rates. The pump test was prompted by a proposal by a California-based company, Niagara Bottling, to build a facility in Elko New Market to produce bottled water. 
Minnesota lawmakers assert protections for public waters
Legislators passed language clarifying that a waterway that meets the legal definition is a public water, even if it’s not on a decades-old state inventory. Its passage followed a lengthy legal dispute over Limbo Creek, the last free-flowing stream in heavily-farmed Renville County.
Report: Mississippi River’s St. Cloud watershed sees progress, ongoing threats
The Mississippi River-St. Cloud watershed northwest of the Twin Cities includes fast-growing counties such as Wright and Sherburne. The latest data show some improvement in water quality, but also challenges including the loss of shoreline buffers to development.
Heavy rain hampering rescue efforts for missing canoeists in Boundary Waters
Heavy rainfall is hampering ongoing rescue and recovery efforts for two canoeists who have been missing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness since Saturday evening, after two canoes carrying four people went over Curtain Falls.
Search continues for 2 people missing after canoes went over waterfall in Boundary Waters
Search efforts continued Monday amid poor weather and difficult water conditions for two people who went missing over the weekend after their canoes went over a waterfall in northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Two canoeists missing in Boundary Waters after going over waterfall
Two canoeists are missing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after two canoes went over a waterfall on Saturday evening between two large lakes along the Canadian border.