PFAS in Minnesota: Billions needed to remove, destroy forever chemicals from wastewater

Share

FILE PHOTO: Faucet. ((Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) / Getty Images)

EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - A first-of-its-kind study found it would cost billions of dollars over the next 20 years to remove PFAS (forever chemicals) from wastewater streams in Minnesota, underscoring the need to prevent PFAS from entering the environment.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on Tuesday shared a new report that found technologies and expenses needed to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from certain wastewater streams across Minnesota would cost between $14 and $28 billion over 20 years, a news release says.

"The exorbitant costs associated with removing PFAS from community wastewater systems underscores the need to address PFAS pollution long before it gets into the waste stream," said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. "At no fault of their own, wastewater treatment facilities receive PFAS from a variety of sources and they cannot carry the burden of cleaning up the pollution. We must all focus on preventing PFAS from entering the environment in the first place."

Key findings from the study include:

The MPCA says cost estimates are based on the required upgrades to Minnesota's existing wastewater infrastructure to treat and destroy PFAS using current commercially available technologies and PFAS levels.

The MPCA says it commissioned this study as part of the state's PFAS Blueprint, a "comprehensive interagency plan to prevent, manage, and clean up PFAS pollution."

Meanwhile, the MPCA is working to implement a new law passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz to phase out nonessential PFAS use over the coming decade. The Legislature also funded PFAS Blueprint programs to help businesses transition away from PFAS, protect drinking water supplies, and enhance monitoring systems.

All the news you need to know, every day

By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.