On Tuesday, March 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced draft Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) as a critical step toward reducing Americans' exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through drinking water.
The EPA proposes limiting two types of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) to 4 parts per trillion, which is the lowest level that can be reliably measured at this time. The EPA will take public comments on the proposed regulation after its publication in the Federal Register. The limits are expected to be finalized in late 2023 or early 2024.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued a response to the EPA’s news. They state, “While the draft MCLs will have no immediate impact on public water systems in the state, and no immediate action is required, MDH will continue to test for PFAS in systems across the state and provide guidance to systems when their results indicate a potential health concern based on current health-based values.
“MDH provides those testing results through its Dashboard for PFAS Testing in Drinking Water. New and evolving science shows clearly that humans are more sensitive to PFAS than was previously thought, so MDH scientists are re-evaluating and revising the MDH PFAS health-based guidance values to better protect public health. These values will be designed to best protect Minnesota’s unique populations and communities, with a goal of completing this work in 2023.”
Updated MDH guidance for PFAS are expected to be released later in 2023.
City of Hastings Action to Date
Several PFAS chemicals (including both PFOA and PFOS) are present in all six Hastings City wells but do not exceed current MDH guidance values, as determined by a Health Risk Index of 1.0 (our measures range from 0.16 to 0.84). A Health Risk Index greater than 1.0 is given a drinking water advisory by the MDH.
In anticipation of changing EPA and MDH regulations, the City has taken a number of steps to stay on top of the situation, such as looking into costs to mitigate the effects of the chemicals on the City’s drinking water supply and seeking potential funding sources. Current estimates show treatment costs greater than $60 million. The City Council has stated drinking water quality is a priority. The City will continue to inform the community as it learns more.
Learn More about PFAS in Hastings and Consumer Health Steps
To learn more about PFAS in Hastings, visit the City’s PFAS webpage.
The Minnesota Department of Health PFAS Webpage has general information about PFAS and human health and ongoing activities in Minnesota. The page also includes information on steps that consumers can take to protect themselves from exposure to PFAS.
For health-related questions, please contact the MDH Site Assessment & Consultation Unit at 651-201-4897, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3908, or by email: health.hazard@state.mn.us
For questions related to the Hastings Public Water Supply, contact the City at 651-480-6185, or the MDH Drinking Water Protection at 651-201-4700 or health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us.