Minnesota Cities Seek to Change State Water Rules

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Three groups representing Minnesota cities have announced they will sue the state Pollution Control Agency to change new water-quality rules aiming to reduce phosphorus pollution in waterways.

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board plan to file the challenge with the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Friday. The groups say the new standards deserve an additional peer review because they surpass federal limits without a solid scientific basis.

Dozens of cities, which the three groups represent, say the new standards are so stringent that they will cost local governments millions of dollars in upgrades to water and sewage-treatment plants.

State Pollution Control Agency officials declined to comment Thursday.