local
Here’s what Minnesota found in its 2026 water quality checkup
By Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency held a public meeting on Wednesday on statewide water quality.
The agency talked about the 2026 impaired waters list, which includes all waters that do not meet state standards. The MPCA focused on newly listed wild rice waters and on statewide assessment...
Key takeaway The agency talked about the 2026 impaired waters list, which includes all waters that do not meet state standards.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The latest water quality checkup from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency brings attention to the ongoing challenges facing the state's waters. With 37 new bodies of water added to the list of mercury impairments, it's clear that mercury pollution remains a significant concern. The fact that most of this pollution stems from air quality issues highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing environmental concerns in the Twin Cities area. The addition of 75 new wild rice waters to the impaired list, mainly in southern Minnesota, also underscores the importance of protecting cultural resources for the Dakota and Ojibwe tribal nations. As the public comment period opens, Minneapolis residents should consider the impact of these findings on local ecosystems and recreational activities, and weigh in on the agency's efforts to restore and protect the state's waters. The MPCA's work to delist impairments and develop new strategies for wild rice protection will be worth watching in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency held a public meeting on Wednesday on statewide water quality.
The agency talked about the 2026 impaired waters list, which includes all waters that do not meet state standards. The MPCA focused on newly listed wild rice waters and on statewide assessment...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sabrina Salguero Del Cid at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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