Sauk Rapids City Well Contaminated With Unacceptable Levels of Forever Chemicals

(KNSI) — A representative from the Minnesota Department of Health presented Monday evening to the Sauk Rapids City Council on the presence of a concerning level of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in one of the city’s wells.

District Engineer Supervisor Todd Johnson says Well 2’s Health Risk Index was above one, the threshold to encourage a public notice to residents. Well three measured 0.38, which Johnson says could become a problem if the state or the Federal Environmental Protection Agency lowers the acceptable level for the six chemicals that make up PFAS exposure.

The affected area stretches from the Sauk Rapids Government Center south to the city’s low-lying areas. Johnson says if residents are concerned, the easiest solution to the problem is to purchase a carbon filter system for their home or drink bottled water.

The state program is currently voluntary. It has been around for two decades and began monitoring the east end of the Twin Cities metro area. Johnson says 10 to 12 cities are suffering similar problems, including Waite Park. You can learn more about how HRI is calculated here.

The EPA is expected to release a preliminary draft for federal oversight this month, which would eventually mean cities would be forced to act to bring their water quality back into compliance, a potentially costly measure. A preliminary draft for federal monitoring of PFAS is expected later this month.

Johnson says he believes the state will lower its acceptable threshold for the six chemicals that make up a majority of PFAS contamination as well in April.

___