Apple Valley Seeks $40 Million in State Funding to Remove “Forever Chemicals” from Drinking Water
Apple Valley city officials are requesting $40 million from the state to build a water-treatment plant that will ensure the city’s drinking water is safe for future generations. The project, which is estimated to cost $106 million, aims to remove perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” from the city’s municipal water supply.
What are “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS are a family of nearly 5,000 man-made compounds that have been used in various industries, including nonstick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, and food packaging. These chemicals have been linked to increased risk of certain cancers, developmental delays in children, and reproductive effects in pregnant women, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Long-term exposure to PFAS has become a growing concern for cities across the state, with many municipalities seeking funding to address the issue. The cities of Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, and Hastings are also requesting funding for PFAS-related water treatment projects.
EPA Limits and Contamination
In April 2024, the EPA lowered the maximum contamination levels for PFOS and PFOA from 70 parts per trillion to 4 parts per trillion. As a result, seven of Apple Valley’s 16 wells exceeded the EPA’s maximum contaminant level, with two of those wells being shut down. In Hastings, all six of the city’s wells exceed the EPA’s maximum contamination levels, making blending treatment impossible.
The source of Apple Valley’s contamination is still unknown, but city officials are working to identify the cause. Meanwhile, residents in Hastings have been left to buy bottled water or install costly whole-home filtration systems, with city water rates increasing 21% this year.
Funding and Solutions
Apple Valley city officials are seeking alternative funding sources, including federal grants, to support the $106 million project. The city of Hastings has already received $15 million from the state’s East Metro 3M settlement fund and $8 million in grant funding, but still requires additional funding to complete the project.
City officials emphasize that temporary fixes will not solve the long-term issue of PFAS contamination. “This was not a naturally occurring thing in nature,” said Apple Valley Public Works Director Matt Saam. “This was a man-made thing, someone put that into the environment here, and now our residents and people have to address it, through no fault of their own.”
For more information on the issue and the cities’ efforts to address it, visit Here
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