PFAS in Minnesota- A Lingering Threat
- Bradley Bush, ND
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Since the 1950s, 3M improperly disposed of PFAS—“forever chemicals”—at four dump sites in the Twin Cities East Metro, including Woodbury and Oakdale. These chemicals contaminated groundwater used by 170,000+ residents throughout parts of Washington County, even reaching private wells in Woodbury and Stillwater.
Hotspots: Woodbury, Stillwater, Cottage Grove & Beyond
Communities surrounding 3M are taking action to protect residents using funds from Minnesota’s 2018 settlement with 3M. The 3M settlement—worth $850 million statewide—helps municipalities filter and test wells impacted by the contamination. Most communities are employing specialized filtration systems—typically granular activated carbon (GAC) or ion-exchange filters—at public water wells. These filters are effective at reducing PFAS to safe levels.
Cottage Grove
Often described as “ground zero” for PFAS, the Chemolite site began contaminating the aquifer as early as 2002. Since 2017, the city has operated seven interim treatment plants, with the first permanent plant expected online in June 2025, and a second by 2028. Learn more. These systems use GAC filters at municipal wells. Additionally, residential homes above exposure thresholds are being fitted with in‑home, point‑of‑entry treatment systems (POETS) at no cost to homeowners. More information.
Stillwater
In 2023, one of the municipal wells ("Well #6") was shut down after PFOS/PFAS exceeded state health thresholds. Special filtration systems are being installed to restore safe drinking-water supply.
Woodbury
PFAS contamination showed up in nine of twenty municipal wells by May 2024. The city has deployed both short-term and long-term fixes, including GAC filtration at public wells, funded through the 2018 3M settlement ($850M). Learn more.
Other Communities
Lake Elmo, Oakdale, St. Paul Park, Newport, Denmark Township, and parts of Washington County also lie within the contamination plume. Many private and municipal wells in these communities have triggered advisories or been connected to public systems or treatment plants. More information.
What Makes PFAS “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS are synthetic organofluorine compounds built around carbon–fluorine bonds—among the strongest in organic chemistry. This gives them exceptional durability—they resist heat, oil, and other chemicals. Additionally, they never break down in the environment. Some persist in humans for years; for example, PFOA has a biological half-life of ~3 years, and PFOS last even longer.
PFAS Health Risks
Even at trace levels, PFAS have been linked to serious health issues:
Endocrine disruption – affects thyroid and reproductive hormones, possibly leading to infertility, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays.
Autoimmune effects – weakened immune response, reduced vaccine efficacy, increased allergies/asthma, ulcerative colitis.
Cancers – elevated rates of kidney, testicular, thyroid, and possibly other cancers have been linked to PFAS exposure.
Other impacts – high cholesterol, liver damage, low birth weight, developmental delays, and
hypertension.
What You Can Do
Check your municipal or well water report for PFAS levels.
Install certified in-home filters if your well is affected—look for GAC or specialty PFAS filters.
Limit exposure by not buying products containing PFAS.
Stay informed of local and national PFAS regulations. The EPA now mandates low-level testing of PFOS/PFOA in drinking water nationwide.
Have your body levels of PFAS and other forever chemicals measured.
Why This Still Matters
PFAS contamination in Minnesota isn’t a relic—it’s ongoing. Their environmental persistence and potential for serious health harm make them one of the greatest contamination challenges of our time. The chemicals don’t degrade, continually leaking from contaminated aquifers. Without filtration, residents could face lifelong exposure with cumulative health consequences. Though the 3M settlement and state action help, fully cleaning up this pervasive pollutant will take decades and ongoing vigilance.
In East‑Metro Minnesota—from Woodbury to Stillwater to Cottage Grove—understanding PFAS chemistry, health implications, and local responses empowers individuals and communities to act.
Take action today.
Avoid buying products containing forever chemicals (when possible).
Stay up to date with your city’s water quality and vigilance in monitoring of forever chemicals.
If using a private well, test for PFAS through MDH-certified labs.
Research approved in-home filtration systems and ongoing local efforts.
Contact Natural Medicine of Stillwater to test for PFAS/ PFOA levels if concerned.
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