Hastings Secures Funding to Tackle 'Forever Chemicals' in Drinking Water

The city of Hastings, Minnesota, has secured a lifeline in its battle against the persistent presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its drinking water supply. Thanks to a settlement between the state of Minnesota and 3M, the city will receive much-needed financial assistance to address this environmental challenge.

Unlocking Vital Funding to Safeguard Hastings' Water

Tracing the PFAS Contamination to 3M's Doorstep

The city of Hastings has long grappled with the presence of PFAS in its six municipal wells, with five of them exceeding the new federal limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, until recently, Hastings was not eligible for funding from the state's 2018 legal settlement with 3M, as the state had not directly linked the city's PFAS contamination to the chemicals manufactured by the company. This settlement, worth $850 million, has helped several other communities in the region pay for treatment systems to remove PFAS from their water supplies.

The breakthrough came this week when the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced that it had traced the PFAS found in one of Hastings' wells back to 3M's manufacturing site in Cottage Grove. This crucial finding has paved the way for the city to access a portion of the settlement funds to address the treatment of water from that well.

Assistant Commissioner Kirk Koudelka of the MPCA explained the significance of this development, stating, "Now they have a source of funding for a portion of one of those treatment plants to move forward, which would reduce the need for them to go to their residents." This financial assistance is a welcome relief for the city, as it helps alleviate the burden on its residents and businesses.

Bridging the Funding Gap for Comprehensive Water Treatment

While the settlement funds from 3M will provide a much-needed boost, the city of Hastings still faces a significant financial challenge. City Administrator Dan Wietecha revealed that the city expects to receive approximately $14.5 million from the settlement, which falls short of the estimated $70 million required to build three new treatment plants to address the PFAS contamination in all six of its wells.

"It helps a ton," Wietecha acknowledged, "but it's still a budget buster for the residents and businesses of Hastings. We've got a long way to go." The city remains committed to working with the MPCA to investigate the sources of PFAS in its remaining wells, with the hope of securing additional funding to address the full scope of the problem.

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape and Timelines

The EPA's recent decision to set enforceable federal limits on PFAS in drinking water has added a sense of urgency to the situation in Hastings. Cities with PFAS contamination, including Hastings, have been given a five-year timeline to meet these new standards.

Koudelka's explanation of the MPCA's investigation provides valuable insights into the complex nature of PFAS contamination. The agency has traced a newer 3M-made chemical, known as TFSI, to the Hastings well, rather than the federally regulated compounds that are driving the city's treatment project. This finding, he said, "is helping us show the path of how other PFAS are getting to the well," likely through a fault along the Mississippi River and into the groundwater.

The MPCA's continued efforts to uncover the full extent of PFAS contamination in Hastings' wells will be crucial in securing additional funding and support from the state and federal levels. As Wietecha noted, the city intends to keep working with the MPCA to investigate connections for the other wells, even though a direct link has not yet been established.

Navigating the Complexities of PFAS Contamination and Remediation

The PFAS challenge facing Hastings is not unique, as it is a problem that has plagued communities across the country. These "forever chemicals" have been widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, from furniture and cookware to carpet and water-resistant clothing.

3M, the manufacturer of these chemicals, has a long history of PFAS production at its Cottage Grove facility, dating back to the 1950s. While the company phased out the production of the two most widely known and harmful PFAS compounds, PFOS and PFOA, in the early 2000s, it continues to produce other replacement PFAS with shorter carbon chains.

The persistent nature of PFAS and their tendency to accumulate in the environment, humans, and wildlife have raised significant health concerns. These compounds have been linked to a range of health impacts, including kidney and thyroid problems, reproductive issues, and cancer.

3M has acknowledged the need to address the PFAS challenge and has stated its plans to discontinue the manufacturing of PFAS by the end of 2025. However, the damage already done and the long-term environmental and public health implications of these "forever chemicals" will continue to be a pressing concern for communities like Hastings.