West Lakeland Township

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of human-made chemicals that have been widely used for decades. PFAS are extremely stable and do not breakdown in the environment. PFAS have been found in the groundwater and surface water in Minnesota. Some PFAS can build up and stay in the human body for many years. They can also slowly decline if the exposure stops.

PFAS are emerging contaminants. Emerging contaminants are contaminants about which we have a new awareness or understanding about how they move in the environment or affect public health. PFAS, like other emerging contaminants, are the focus of active research and study, which means that new information is released frequently.

They are known to be toxic, but the exact dangers to human health and environment are still being studied.  These chemicals can be found in many communities in Minnesota, including our own West Lakeland Township.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) website has general information about PFAS in Minnesota including a monitoring plan and cleanup efforts. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) also provides detailed information about the health-related concerns of PFAS contamination here. 

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The PFAS water contamination problem in the Twin Cities East Metro has been traced to 3M's disposal sites dating back several decades.  After a lawsuit against 3M was filed by the State of Minnesota, a settlement was reached in early 2018.  Monies from this settlement would be used to ensure safe and sustainable drinking water for all affected residents and enhance natural resources in affected areas. The Co-trustee's of the settlement are the MPCA and the DNR.  See this timeline for a detailed summary of what followed over the next several years, and how the events affected our community.

In August 2021, the Co-Trustees announced their Final Water Supply Plan. West Lakeland Township will remain on Point of Entry Treatment (POET) systems as a solution to the PFAS contamination issue. Residents whose private wells exceed the threshold (wells with a health index of at least 0.5 (HI ≥ 0.5) using the current health index calculation) will be provided with a POET/GAC filtration system at no cost to the homeowner.

The MPCA is primarily responsible for water sampling for PFAS in our area.  If your well has not already been sampled, click HERE or call the MPCA directly at 651-296-6300.  You will be contacted based on your location compared to the current sampling areas. Thank you for your patience as the MPCA continues to work through a high volume of requests.

Refer to this Interactive Plume Map to view the areas where sampling is taking place. 

For the most up-to-date 3M Settlement reports, the Co-Trustees from the MPCA and DNR have created a website at 3M Settlement.