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.

MPCA wants to change some clean water rules. What does that mean?
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says that the standards haven't changed much since the 1960s, and are based on outdated science. Environmental groups worry the proposed changes could lead to more pollution.
Research: Scanning wastewater could offer advance warning of COVID — or other viruses
A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota researchers say their effort to learn whether surveying a community’s sewage could help detect the prevalence of COVID-19 — and possibly predict surges of the virus — appears promising.
30 years later, echoes of largest inland oil spill remain in Line 3 fight
About 50 people gathered at the Prairie River near the site of a crude oil spill in Grand Rapids Wednesday. Thirty years ago, on March 3, 1991, the Line 3 oil pipeline ruptured at the site, spilling 1.7 million gallons of crude oil into a wetland and onto the frozen Prairie River. It's still the largest inland oil spill in U.S. history.
Leaders of tribal nations in MN ask Walz to pause Line 3 work during legal appeal
In a letter, the group urged Walz to issue an executive order putting a stay on the pipeline replacement project construction while lawsuits challenging the project’s approval play out in court.
Southern cities hit hard by storms face new crisis: No water
Busted water pipes ruptured by record-low temperatures have created a shortage of clean drinking water, forced the closure of the Memphis airport for passenger flights on Friday and left hospitals scrambling to maintain sanitary conditions.
'It's life and death': Texans still without power as nation faces more winter storms
Nationwide, more than 40 deaths have been blamed on the weather this week — some who died trying to stay warm in their homes. Thousands of Texans remained without electricity or safe drinking water after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state's power grid and utilities.
Report: MPCA faltered in oversight of Water Gremlin’s air emissions
A new report from a state watchdog office says the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency should have done more to regulate a White Bear Township manufacturer with a history of air pollution problems.