Overview

• The Minnesota Department of Health formally launched the statewide strategy Thursday in New Brighton, establishing a coordinated approach to drinking water protection.
• The Legislature mandated the plan in 2023 to address emerging contaminants, with a focus on PFAS and nitrate contamination.
• The Clean Water Council will provide grants to help communities identify risks through testing and to upgrade drinking water infrastructure.
• Officials said the plan will be updated every two years and will draw on Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund, which is set to sunset in 2034.
• MDH reports 97% of systems meet federal standards while 3% fall short due to nitrate or arsenic, and PFAS pollution in the east metro continues to spur major treatment projects funded by 3M settlement dollars.