Unacceptable ‘Forever Chemical’ Levels Found In Drinking Water In 17 Minnesota Communities

Forever chemicals, also known as PFAs, are routinely found in public water systems. The EPA has drinking water standards that have allowable standards for PFAs in water systems, and 17 communities, a veteran's home, and 4 mobile home parks have exceeded those allowable limits.

PFAs stand for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are human-made chemicals that are used in products like carpets, stain-resistant clothing, cosmetics, and firefighting foam. They are called forever chemicals because they don't naturally break down.

The Minnesota Department of Health has identified those public water systems that need to remove and monitor PFAS levels.

Communities with PFAS levels above new EPA standards:

Battle Lake

Brooklyn Park

Pine City

Princeton

South St. Paul

Wabasha

Alexandria

Cloquet

Hastings

Lake Elmo

Newport

Pease

Sauk Rapids

Stillwater

Swanville

Waite Park

Woodbury

Additional water systems with PFAS levels above new EPA standards.

Minnesota Veterans Home in Hasting

Mobile Home Parks

Hastings

Lake Elmo

Austin

Bemidji

Shakopee

They have 5 years to address the PFAS issue and remove the chemicals.

Those municipalities will have 5 years to address and remove the chemicals from the water systems. According to MPR News, some of the east Twin Cities metro cities are getting financial help after the State of Minnesota settled with 3M. 3M produced the chemicals for decades and paid the state $850 million in the settlement.

Read More: 10 Best City Parks In Minnesota

PFAS Linked To Cancer

Forever chemicals have been linked to liver problems, kidney problems, and cancer. They were banned last year for non-essential uses.