Drinking water

There's no excuse for unsafe drinking water. Yet every day, there are Minnesotans whose health is put at risk by outdated lead service lines, aging water treatment infrastructure or community wells tainted with nitrates. Unsurprisingly, it's often economically disadvantaged communities and communities of color who are most at risk. At FMR, we advocate for funding and policies that will ensure all Minnesotans — regardless of their ZIP code — have access to safe drinking water, while simultaneously defending the important environmental protections that do exist.

Drinking water
Minnesota's drought contributes to drinking water crisis downriver

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In this Q&A, Matt Rota at Healthy Gulf in Louisiana talks with FMR about the saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River threatening New Orleans' drinking water supply — and already impacting communities farther south. Read more
Army Corps boats construct a sill to prevent saltwater intrusion
Is Minnesota doing enough to protect our drinking water?

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A recent headline in the Star Tribune said it all: 'Little action so far on plan to enlist farmers to clean up polluted groundwater in Minnesota.' How did we get here? And what do we do about it? Read more
Person holds a mason jar of clear water in a field of Kernza
Sackett case: How the Supreme Court ruling impacts the Mississippi River

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On May 25, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a decision that drastically narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act and represents one of the most far-reaching rollbacks to this decades-old law since its passage in 1972.  Read more
Wetland reflecting sky
How FMR's priorities for the Mississippi River fared in the 2023 session

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FMR made progress on every single one of its priorities this legislative session. Here's a roundup of everything that happened. Read more
A collage showing parts of five different photos, all from this legislative session: Two FMR staffers posing with fish postcards in the Capitol; an FMR staffer testifying at a May 1 hearing; A state senator posing with children following a hearing; legislators on a tour at the Forever Green Initiative facilities; printed papers with the FMR logo, shown with the Capitol building in the background.
Minnesota takes a giant leap toward clean drinking water for all

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An estimated 100,000-plus lead service lines are still in use in Minnesota. This bill will help replace a significant percentage of them. Read more
A hand holding a glass up to a running faucet. Water is filling the glass.
FMR joins environmental group's petition for clean drinking water in SE Minnesota

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Nitrate levels in private and public wells are endangering drinking water for southeastern Minnesotans. We've signed on to a petition to urge the EPA to take action. Read more
Person holding drinking water in Kernza field
Where FMR's 2023 priorities stand at the Legislature

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An overview of the progress we've made — and what still needs to happen — as we enter the final weeks of the session. Read more
Looking up at the iconic dome of the Capitol building in St. Paul, against a clear blue sky as backdrop. Text over the image says "FMR's priorities #MNLEG"

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November 1 - 20, 2025
Online
Three options: October 20, October 28, November 22, 2025
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
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