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.

Bills would ban ‘forever chemicals’ from cosmetics, cookware, ski wax
After the Minnesota Legislature passed a ban on so-called “forever chemicals” in food packaging last year, a DFL lawmaker wants to extend the ban on PFAS to more consumer products. But the bills face opposition from industry groups and chemical manufacturers.
Scientists seek funding to look for toxic tire chemical in Minnesota waters
Minnesota scientists are seeking funding to investigate if a toxic chemical from tires is harming popular fish species. Researchers in Washington state have linked the recently discovered chemical in rubber tires to the sudden deaths of coho salmon.
Forest Service slashes BWCA permits to protect wilderness. Some say the cuts go too far
Canoeists eager to take a summer trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can start making reservations Wednesday. But competition for those permits could be more intense this year after the Forest Service slashed the number of available slots.
Longtime MPCA employee alleges retaliation over petroleum complaints
Mark Toso alleges that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency penalized him for raising concerns that its program for handling leaking petroleum tanks was failing to protect groundwater.
The Minnesota Humanities Center “We Are Water Minnesota” traveling exhibit will show up cities like St. Paul, Winona, Fergus Falls and Lake City in 2022 as an interactive display that gives folks the chance to explore what water means in Minnesota — and how we can all do a better job protecting it.
Minnesota moves closer to completing St. Louis River restoration
This month the Minnesota DNR completed one of its largest-ever habitat restoration projects, a three-year, $18 million project restoring 230 acres of coastal wetland habitat in the St. Louis River estuary near Duluth.