Temporary Water Treatment At Well #10 PowerPoint Presentation

Update on Stillwater's Drinking Water and PFAS:  February 4, 2025

The City of Stillwater remains committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As part of our proactive approach to addressing PFAS – previously detected at levels above or just below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards in three currently inactive wells – the City will be constructing a temporary PFAS treatment facility adjacent to Well #10 later this year.

Why is this Treatment Facility Needed?

Two wells (Well #6 and Well #10) within Stillwater contain PFAS at levels above the EPA’s drinking water standards. An additional well (Well #9) contains PFAS at levels just below these standards. All three wells are currently inactive and are not providing water for the community.

To meet the community’s water demands and provide the safest drinking water possible, the City is taking quick, proactive action on a short-term solution while also taking a strategic approach to long-term water treatment needs. A temporary treatment facility at Well #10 will ensure this well can safely be put back into service.

When Will this Treatment Facility Be Built?

More than 20 engineers and scientists are collaborating on this effort to incorporate PFAS treatment into the City’s water system very quickly. Engineering design is expected to be completed by the end of March, with construction of the temporary facility planned to start in late summer or early fall. The system is anticipated to be operational in spring 2026, when water use typically increases.

What are the Impacts?

The Well #10 site, located on Orleans Street near Benson Park, is an important part of the community, and we understand that residents may have questions about how this facility will fit into the neighborhood. The City is committed to incorporating thoughtful design and aesthetics to help the facility blend with its surroundings.

We also recognize the importance of keeping the community informed and engaged throughout this process. A comprehensive public engagement plan is being developed, which will provide ongoing opportunities for residents to ask questions, receive updates, and stay informed about potential impacts, such as area construction.

How Will this Project Be Paid For?

Funding sources at the state level are coming together to support this investment in our water infrastructure and continued commitment to our residents. The City intends to finance this project through a combination of low interest loans with a 50% forgiveness grant through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA), as well as grant dollars through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

What Else is Stillwater Doing About PFAS?

Our efforts extend beyond short-term fixes. The City is actively working toward a permanent, long-term water treatment solution that addresses PFAS and other emerging concerns to serve community needs well into the future.

This initiative reflects the City’s dedication to taking decisive action while maintaining a strong focus on sustainable, long-term water treatment. We want to reassure our community that Stillwater’s drinking water remains safe, and our actions today are proactive measures to protect and enhance water quality for years to come.

We will continue to share updates on this page, through the City’s Facebook page, email notifications, and City newsletter. Additional engagement opportunities will be provided as the project progresses. Questions can be directed to waterupdates@stillwatermn.gov or 651-430-8830.

The City of Stillwater has taken multiple steps forward to address PFAS contamination in our groundwater supply. On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”. This action follows steps the City had taken to proactively and aggressively respond to new awareness and understanding about how this emerging contaminant affects public health. Presently, no City well over the EPA’s drinking water standard is in operation. However, trace amounts of PFAS below the EPA’s drinking water standard have been detected in nearly all of our wells.

While the new EPA standards take effect in 2029, the City is advancing plans to provide water treatment by 2027, or sooner. A robust alternatives analysis was completed in May, and constructing water treatment facilities using granular activated carbon (GAC) technology was determined to be the most effective option for PFAS mitigation. Early estimates suggest a cost of nearly $30 million, with significant ongoing operating and staff costs. The City is seeking funding at the state and federal levels to help cover these expenses. PFAS are prevalent in the environment, and detection and measurement techniques remain a work in progress. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has advanced the science of PFAS through active research and study, making them exceptionally strong partners in helping the City navigate these new challenges. MDH is a valuable resource for more information about PFAS. Guidance on how people are exposed and how to reduce such exposures is available at their website: health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfashealth.html The City is committed to providing safe, high quality drinking water to its customers. To learn more, visit the City’s website at stillwatermn.gov/waterupdates or email waterupdates@stillwatermn.gov or call 651-430-8830.

PFAS are a family of manufactured chemicals that have been widely used in consumer products since the 1940s. They can be found in water, soil, air, and food, as well as in materials found in our homes or workplaces, from food packaging to personal care products. PFAS are emerging contaminants – meaning that there is a new awareness or understanding about how they affect public health. PFAS, like other emerging contaminants, are the focus of active research and study, which means that new information is released frequently.

The City of Stillwater recently learned that some of its drinking water wells produce water that exceeds MDH’s Health Based Guidance Values (HBVs) and the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS recently established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Preliminary testing conducted by MDH indicated higher levels of PFAS and was confirmed by follow-up testing. There is no immediate health risk posed by Stillwater’s drinking water at this time.

The City is evaluating short- and long-term solutions to meet the EPA’s MCLs by 2029.The City is working with an engineering firm to evaluate options for PFAS mitigation that the City can consider, as shutting down wells is not a long-term, viable solution.

The City will also be hiring an independent laboratory to take additional samples of water from the City’s water system. The data from this testing, along with the engineering evaluation, will help the City determine the appropriate path forward. To pay for the cost of the engineering evaluation and testing, the City will be using a grant received in the amount of $102,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Drinking Water Planning and Design Funds for PFAS Treatment. The City is also actively seeking funds from other state and federal programs to assist with anticipated mitigation projects.