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Ensia

Published at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment, Ensia is a solutions-focused media outlet

reporting on our changing planet.

 

Lakes are more sensitive to salt than we thought nbsp; Article Lakes are more sensitive to salt than we thought  
To minimize harm from floods and droughts, we need to understand what water wants nbsp; Voices To minimize harm from floods and droughts, we need to understand what water wants  
Radioactive contamination is creeping into drinking water around the U.S. nbsp; Feature Radioactive contamination is creeping into drinking water around the U.S.  
The future of water in the U.S. West is uncertain, so planning and preparedness are critical nbsp; Feature The future of water in the U.S. West is uncertain, so planning and preparedness are critical  
Desalination has guided water exchanges for Israel and Jordan. Could it play a role in the Colorado River Basin’s future? nbsp; Feature Desalination has guided water exchanges for Israel and Jordan. Could it play a role in the Colorado River Basin’s future?  
Some U.S. drinking water still carries levels of arsenic experts consider unsafe nbsp; Feature Some U.S. drinking water still carries levels of arsenic experts consider unsafe  
In an arid U.S. West, water agencies look to delive​r​ purified wastewater directly to customers’ faucets​, despite “yuck factor” nbsp; Feature In an arid U.S. West, water agencies look to delive​r​ purified wastewater directly to customers’ faucets​, despite “yuck factor”  
Does this city’s progress on removing lead water lines show the potential for U.S.-wide replacement? nbsp; Feature Does this city’s progress on removing lead water lines show the potential for U.S.-wide replacement?  
Tapped Out: Power, justice and water in the West   Tapped Out: Power, justice and water in the West Update
“A generational historic struggle to regain our water” nbsp; Feature “A generational historic struggle to regain our water”  
Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest nbsp; Feature Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest  
Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake nbsp; Feature Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake  
Some rural California residents doubt they’ll ever get clean water nbsp; Feature Some rural California residents doubt they’ll ever get clean water  
Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water nbsp; Feature Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water  
Life-saving drinking water disinfectants have a “dark side” nbsp; Feature Life-saving drinking water disinfectants have a “dark side”  
From Alaska to Florida, harmful PFAS compounds pollute water at multiple sites in every state nbsp; Feature From Alaska to Florida, harmful PFAS compounds pollute water at multiple sites in every state  
In the northern Great Plains, a search for ways to protect drinking water from fossil fuel industry pollution nbsp; Feature In the northern Great Plains, a search for ways to protect drinking water from fossil fuel industry pollution  
The surprising connection between West Coast fires and the volatile chemicals tainting America’s drinking water nbsp; Feature The surprising connection between West Coast fires and the volatile chemicals tainting America’s drinking water  
Will climate change increase the presence of pathogens in drinking water? nbsp; Feature Will climate change increase the presence of pathogens in drinking water?  
Legionella and other dangerous pathogens still lurk in U.S. drinking water nbsp; Feature Legionella and other dangerous pathogens still lurk in U.S. drinking water  
Explainer: Who regulates U.S. drinking water, and how? nbsp; Article Explainer: Who regulates U.S. drinking water, and how?  
These Americans don’t trust their tap water. Would you? nbsp; Feature These Americans don’t trust their tap water. Would you?  
Across the US, millions of people are drinking unsafe water. How can we fix that? nbsp; Feature Across the US, millions of people are drinking unsafe water. How can we fix that?  
Opinion: Corporations need to do more to solve global water problems nbsp; Voices Opinion: Corporations need to do more to solve global water problems  
Opinion: COVID-19 is telling us that it’s time for global systems change — starting with water nbsp; Voices Opinion: COVID-19 is telling us that it’s time for global systems change — starting with water  
Opinion: We need to keep our water systems — and workers — safe as the novel coronavirus ravages the world nbsp; Voices Opinion: We need to keep our water systems — and workers — safe as the novel coronavirus ravages the world  
This little-known principle has harmed millions of people. What are we doing to change it? nbsp; Feature This little-known principle has harmed millions of people. What are we doing to change it?  
Mexico City is proposing to build one of the world’s largest urban parks. Will it serve as a climate adaptation example for other cities? nbsp; Feature Mexico City is proposing to build one of the world’s largest urban parks. Will it serve as a climate adaptation example for other cities?  
Water experts’ #1 recommendation for protecting future water supplies? Take care of nature.   Water experts’ #1 recommendation for protecting future water supplies? Take care of nature. Notable
5 things we can do now to reduce the threat of drugs in our environment   5 things we can do now to reduce the threat of drugs in our environment Notable
Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it?   Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it? Notable
Most illustrations of the water cycle are missing an important ingredient: People.   Most illustrations of the water cycle are missing an important ingredient: People. Notable
With floods and droughts increasing, communities take a new look at storing water underground nbsp; Feature With floods and droughts increasing, communities take a new look at storing water underground  
New UN report outlines steps for ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water and sanitation   New UN report outlines steps for ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water and sanitation Notable
Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren’t just seeking restitution, but answers nbsp; Feature Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren’t just seeking restitution, but answers  
As floods increase, cities like Detroit are looking to green stormwater infrastructure nbsp; Feature As floods increase, cities like Detroit are looking to green stormwater infrastructure  
Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them? nbsp; Feature Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them?  
America uses 322 billion gallons of water each day. Here’s where it goes. nbsp; Article America uses 322 billion gallons of water each day. Here’s where it goes.  
What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff nbsp; Feature What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff  
Scientists are using bacteria to remove harmful contaminants from our water. Here’s how. nbsp; Article Scientists are using bacteria to remove harmful contaminants from our water. Here’s how.  
Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities nbsp; Feature Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities  
OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem nbsp; Voices OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem  
Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution? nbsp; Video Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution?  
Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world? nbsp; Feature Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world?  
As synthetic microfibers infiltrate food, water and air, how can we prevent future release? nbsp; Feature As synthetic microfibers infiltrate food, water and air, how can we prevent future release?  
This idea helped rescue a city of 3.8 million from a water crisis nbsp; Article This idea helped rescue a city of 3.8 million from a water crisis  
How the growing “One Water” movement is not only helping the environment but also saving millions of dollars nbsp; Feature How the growing “One Water” movement is not only helping the environment but also saving millions of dollars  
OPINION: California offers valuable lessons for meeting freshwater needs in the face of climate change nbsp; Voices OPINION: California offers valuable lessons for meeting freshwater needs in the face of climate change  
Most Americans drink fluoridated water. Is that a good thing? nbsp; Feature Most Americans drink fluoridated water. Is that a good thing?  
We’re pouring millions of tons of salt on roads each winter. Here’s why that’s a problem. nbsp; Feature We’re pouring millions of tons of salt on roads each winter. Here’s why that’s a problem.  
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