PFAS in Drinking Water in Minnesota
What residents of Minnesota need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Minnesota Department of Health, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Minnesota?
Yes — Minnesota has one of the most significant PFAS contamination problems in the nation, stemming from 3M Company's headquarters and manufacturing operations in the Twin Cities East Metro area. 3M manufactured PFAS chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, and related compounds) at its Cottage Grove facility and disposed of waste in ways that contaminated groundwater and surface water across Washington, Dakota, and Ramsey counties.
Where does PFAS come from in Minnesota?
3M Company's East Metro manufacturing and waste disposal operations are the primary PFAS source in Minnesota. PFAS-contaminated waste was disposed at multiple landfills and sites in Washington County, Dakota County, and Ramsey County, contaminating groundwater that supplies community water systems in Oakdale, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, and other East Metro communities. 3M settled with Minnesota for $850 million in 2018 to address water supply remediation.
What should Minnesota residents know?
East Metro Twin Cities communities have been dealing with PFAS in their water supplies for years. Oakdale, Woodbury, and Lake Elmo have installed treatment or switched water sources due to 3M-source contamination. The $850 million 3M settlement has funded significant remediation and water supply improvements. Minnesota MDH has conducted extensive PFAS research and maintains some of the most comprehensive state PFAS datasets in the country.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination source | 3M Company Cottage Grove manufacturing and East Metro landfill disposal (Washington, Ramsey, Dakota counties) |
| 3M Settlement | $850 million (2018) — largest PFAS private-party settlement at the time; funds water supply improvements |
| Affected communities | Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, White Bear Lake area — East Metro communities |
| State regulator | Minnesota Department of Health — national leader in PFAS research and standards |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune suppression, developmental effects |
| Effective treatment | GAC and reverse osmosis — East Metro utilities have installed treatment with settlement funds |
Why PFAS Matters in Minnesota
Minnesota is the original ground zero for 3M PFAS contamination. 3M's Cottage Grove facility near St. Paul manufactured PFOA, PFOS, and related PFAS compounds for decades, and waste disposal contaminated a substantial area of the East Metro's groundwater. The documented contamination extends across Washington, Ramsey, and Dakota counties and has affected community water supplies and private wells in a densely populated suburban area. The 3M settlement — the first of its kind and the largest PFAS settlement with a private manufacturer at the time — established a precedent for PFAS corporate liability that has been cited nationwide. Minnesota MDH has been a national leader in PFAS science, health assessment, and regulatory guidance.
Historical Context
3M manufactured PFAS compounds at its Cottage Grove plant from the 1950s through 2002, when the company voluntarily phased out PFOS production under EPA pressure. By then, PFAS had extensively contaminated East Metro groundwater. Minnesota filed suit against 3M in 2010, resulting in a landmark $850 million settlement in 2018 — the largest PFAS settlement with a manufacturer in U.S. history at that time. The settlement funds have been used to construct new water supply infrastructure for East Metro communities.
Minnesota PFAS Regulation
Minnesota MDH has been a national leader on PFAS due to 3M's headquarters and manufacturing legacy in the East Metro (Washington County, Dakota County). The state and 3M reached a $850 million settlement in 2018 for PFAS contamination of drinking water supplies. Minnesota has required public water system PFAS monitoring since 2018 and provides technical and financial assistance to affected utilities. Minnesota follows the federal MCL but has extensive program infrastructure developed well before the federal rule.
Largest Minnesota Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Minnesota utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
East Metro Twin Cities communities in Washington County (Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Cottage Grove) and parts of Ramsey and Dakota counties face the most direct 3M-source PFAS risk. Private well owners in the East Metro area should test, as many wells in this area have documented PFAS at concentrations above health guidelines.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Minnesota
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Minnesota utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Minnesota utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Minnesota PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Minnesota State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
Minnesota Department of Health ↗