MINNESOTA WATER OUTLOOK SURVEY:
Survey Results Show Clean Water is the Top Issue Uniting Minnesotans
Key Insights
In a time of division, one issue unites Minnesotans: clean water.
86% of Minnesotans say protecting water is very or extremely important
Clean water is who we are: 85% consider clean water part of our state’s identity, ranking it above all other listed state issues
Water is seen as our state’s legacy: 95% believe we must protect it for future generations.
Yet, most Minnesotans don’t know it’s at risk.
More than half (58%) are unaware of nickel mining’s impact on water
Only 16% know about a proposed nickel mine threatening bodies of water near the mine and watersheds in the metro area and along the Mississippi River
The data is clear: Clean water matters to Minnesotans. Together, we can protect this resource.
Survey Methodology
Water Over Nickel’s Minnesota Water Outlook survey polled 1,000+ Minnesotans in March 2025 across all ages, genders, and key regions. The participant population was designed to be representative of the State of Minnesota