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 Yet every day, there are Minnesotans whose health is put at risk by outdated lead service lines, aging water treatment infrastructure or community wells tainted with nitrates.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
What the federal infrastructure bill means for Minnesota's waters

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Congress passed a long-awaited Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Biden signed into law on November 15. Here's what it means for Minnesota's waters.  >>

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Can we make Minnesota's drinking water lead-free?

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Everyone deserves clean, safe drinking water. Unfortunately, though lead was banned for plumbing in 1986, existing lead pipes remain a threat in Minnesota. FMR is working with our partners to advance three emerging opportunities to fund lead service line replacement.  >>

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Water crisis in Des Moines: Why does a river city need wells?

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Des Moines has ample surface water from its two rivers, but contamination from upstream runoff has forced officials to start pivoting to a drastic new plan: drilling $30 million worth of wells.  >>

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Climate change, climate justice and FMR's Water program

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Climate change has worsened river flooding and drinking water pollution, making FMR's water program work even more important for climate resilience, adaptation, and justice. Here are some reflections on how our Water program's work intersects with both climate change and climate justice.  >>

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Safer drinking water is around the bend (for some)

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As reported by the Star Tribune, new limits on farm fertilizer will benefit human health and wildlife. It's a huge step for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, but is the state doing enough to protect our drinking water and the Mississippi River? >>

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MPR coverage: Nitrate in drinking water a costly problem for small, rural cities

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Recent MPR news coverage examines the costs of nitrate contamination in drinking water in small, rural communities — those least able to afford treatment costs. >>

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A small metro-area town has a big drinking water problem 


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Emblematic of challenges facing many rural communities, up to 55 percent of the private wells in the town of Coates in Dakota County exceed safe levels for nitrates. This is why we need a strong Groundwater Protection Rule. >>

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