State Announces Recommendations To Protect East Metro's Drinking Water

Press release from the City of Woodbury:

September 17, 2020

On Sept. 10, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced a $700 million long-term drinking water protection plan for the Twin Cities East Metropolitan Area, including Woodbury. The agencies revealed three recommended options that would provide safe and sustainable drinking water.

“We are thrilled to see the state making progress on potential long-term water treatment solutions,” Mayor Anne Burt said. “We’ve been highly engaged working alongside them on this for many months and the recommended options represent positive movement.”

To learn more about the recommended long-term treatment options, the public is encouraged to attend one of four virtual public information meetings hosted by MPCA, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, and Wednesday, Sept. 23. The meetings will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. each day. The meetings will begin with a 60-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session.

“The water the city delivers to customers continues to meet all state and federal standards and guidelines for PFAS,” explained Jim Westerman, the city’s utilities manager. “The temporary treatment facility constructed earlier this year will help the city meet water demand over the next five to seven years until Woodbury’s long term solution is implemented.”

Learn more about the three recommended options, submit a comment, or find links to the virtual meetings at 3msettlement.state.mn.us. Private well owners can use an MPCA interactive map to see the recommended long-term drinking water options for individual private wells.

The recommended options are open for public comment through Oct. 26. The MPCA and DNR expect to finalize the East Metro drinking plan in early 2021.

If you have questions about the virtual meetings, email pfcinfo.pca@state.mn.us.

This press release was produced by the City of Woodbury. The views expressed here are the author’s own.