Tom Dippel, Minnesota State Representative from the 41B District | Facebook
Tom Dippel, Minnesota State Representative from the 41B District | Facebook
On Thursday, members of the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee visited Hastings to review the city's request for state funding to build three decentralized treatment plants targeting PFAS and nitrate contamination.
The issue stems from previous findings of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) in water supplies across the east Metro area. In 2018, 3M reached a $720 million settlement with the state after being charged with releasing these chemicals into groundwater.
Following guidance from the Department of Health that five out of six city wells exceeded safe drinking water standards, Hastings constructed its first new well at a cost of $26.7 million. This expense was covered by an increase in local water rates rather than funds from the 3M settlement.
Hastings is now seeking $39 million in state bonding to build two additional wells. Representative Tom Dippel addressed committee members about the need for external support to ensure clean drinking water for residents.
"As it stands, Hastings residents are now paying (significantly) out of pocket to pay for a problem it did not create, and that is so wrong. If no outside money comes forward, residents and business owners can expect to see a 159% increase in their water bills just so it can be drinkable. It’s completely unacceptable," said Dippel.
He added: "To me, Hastings should be receiving its fair share of the 3M settlement fund to pay for the problems the company caused. If bonding dollars are eventually allocated for this project, and eventually 3M dollars come forward, the state could actually recover the bonding dollars and use them for another project."
Dippel also stated he is authoring legislation aimed at directing payments from both the 3M settlement funds and Minnesota's Clean Water Fund under the Legacy Amendment to assist Hastings.
"Helping Hastings solve its drinking water problem remains my top priority, and I will continue to do everything in my power to find ways to protect Hastings residents from paying for this 3M-created mess," Dippel said.
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