PFAS Updates

What’s Happening in Hastings About PFAS and Clean Drinking Water

December 3, 2025 - City Council Update

City Administrator Dan Wietecha gave a monthly update on efforts to acquire funding and remove PFAS from the city's drinking water.

Read a Summary

Watch the Presentation (1:15:28 mark)

November 6, 2025 - House Capital Investment Committee Visit

The House Capital Investment Committee visited City Hall to learn more about the city's capital request for funding to build water treatment plants to remove PFAS "forever chemicals" and nitrates from city drinking water.

The city is requesting $18.3 million for the Eastern Water Treatment Plant, which includes a connection to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Hastings, and $20.7 million for the Western Treatment Plant.

Remarks and presentations were given by Mayor Mary Fasbender, City Administrator Dan Wietecha and Public Works Director Ryan Stempski.

View the Presentation

November 3, 2025 - City Council Update

City Administrator Dan Wietecha provided several key updates on progress to remove PFAS from city drinking water.

Read the Summary Update

Watch the Update (17:17-minute mark)

October 28, 2025 - Senate Capital Investment Committee Visit

The Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee visited City Hall to learn more about the city's capital request for funding to build water treatment plants to remove PFAS "forever chemicals" and nitrates from city drinking water.

The city is requesting $18.3 million for the Eastern Water Treatment Plant, which includes a connection to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Hastings, and $20.7 million for the Western Treatment Plant.

Remarks and presentations were given by Mayor Mary Fasbender, City Administrator Dan Wietecha and Public Works Director Ryan Stempski. Kristy Barse and members of the Hastings Minnesota Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Board of Directors also attended in support of the project.

The House Capital Investment Committee is scheduled to visit City Hall on Nov. 6.

Fact Sheet

Presentation

October 6, 2025 - City Council Update

City Administrator Dan Wietecha provided the following update at the Oct. 6 City Council meeting regarding city plans to remove PFAS "forever chemicals" from city drinking water.

Mobilization and construction on the Central Water Treatment Plant began in late September 2025, with substantial completion to occur in December 2026.
At present the 2026 budget proposal includes a phased approach to water rate increases of 10% each in January and July 2026 and January 2027. This would allow additional time to seek state bonding, grants and/or direct connection to 3M Cottage Grove; enable phasing in the necessary rate increase; and recognizes the complexity of loan and grant paperwork with the Public Facilities Authority.
City officials met with Sen. Seeberger to discuss the status of our project, impact on water rates and options to pursue legislative assistance in the upcoming session.
A similar meeting with Rep. Dippel occurred last month.
A visit by the House Capital Investment Committee is pending for Nov. 6.

September 3, 2025 – Construction starting

At the Sept. 2 City Council meeting, we shared good news:

We secured over $23.7 million in funding to build the Central Water Treatment Plant:

$13.7 million from the 3M Settlement (for Well #5)
$10 million from a low-interest loan and grants for emerging contaminants

We received very competitive bids on both the Central Plant and the raw water main (the pipe connecting the well to the plant).

Both contracts were approved on August 18
Construction began in September

Mayor and staff met with Rep. Dippel and the city's lobbyist to talk about:

Project progress
Water rate impacts
How we can ask for more help at the Capitol

Sen. Seeberger will also meet with us soon
Congress is considering $1.1 million in federal funding for the Western Water Treatment Plant. It’s not final yet, but it’s a good sign!

Watch the Update (58:22 minute mark)

August 20, 2025 – Construction Contracts Approved

The City Council chose contractors to build the Central Plant at 1290 N. Frontage Road and install the raw water pipe.
Winning bids were much lower than expected:

$14.5 million for the plant – 20% less than the original estimate

Contractor: Magney Construction

$2.58 million for the pipe – 11% less than estimated

Contractor: A-1 Excavating

Construction began in September

August 6, 2025 – Finalizing Funding & Project Details

The Central Plant will treat water from Wells 3, 5, and 7 to remove PFAS.
The plant and raw water pipe were bid out as two projects in June and July.
We signed an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to receive 3M Settlement funds.

This covers 59% of the plant cost (up to $13.7 million)
If Wells 3 and 7 become eligible later, the agreement may cover those, too

A loan agreement and two grants from the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) are on the August 18 agenda

These will help cover the remaining $10 million of the total cost

July 9, 2025 – Funding and Construction Update

We’re working hard to get money to build three water treatment plants to remove PFAS from Hastings’ water.

We didn’t get PFAS money from the state in 2025, but we sent in new applications for 2026 to help pay for the Eastern and Western water plants.
Senator Klobuchar is supporting the Western Water Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C.
We expect to receive $2 million more from the state for the Central Plant.
Right now, we expect a 37.2% increase in water rates for 2026, but this could change if we get more help from the state or federal government.
We plan to sign a low-interest loan agreement on July 21 to help pay for the Central Plant.
We’re also expecting to sign an agreement that gives us money from the 3M Settlement to help pay for Well #5’s cleanup.
We split the Central Plant into two parts: the raw water pipe from Well #7 and the plant building. Construction is expected to begin in August.

June 11, 2025 – State Bonding Request Not Approved

We asked the state for money to help build the Eastern Water Treatment Plant, but it wasn’t included in this year’s budget. We’ll try again in 2026 and will keep applying for other grants.

Learn More About PFAS News and Events

Read FAQs

Central Water Treatment Plant Funding

The Central Water Treatment Plant will be the first of three new plants built in Hastings to remove PFAS from our drinking water.

· The project also includes a raw water pipe to bring water from Well No. 7 to the new plant.

· Together, the plant and pipe will cost about $27.7 million.

· The cost will be covered by a mix of:

- 3M Settlement funds
- State and federal grants
- Water utility fees

Construction began this fall.

View the funding chart may change if we receive more money from state or federal sources.

June 4, 2025 – Project Progress Update

We’re still moving forward with plans for all three treatment plants.

We’re preparing new funding requests for 2026.
The City Council supports moving forward and voted to send in those requests.

The Council also approved resolutions for staff to submit 2026 State Bonding requests for the Eastern Water Treatment Plant and the Western Water Treatment Plant.

Watch the Update (34:13 minute mark)

Read the June 2, 2025 Update Memo

May 5, 2025 – City Council Meeting Recap

At the May meeting:

We shared updates on the Central Plant project.
We talked about how we’re asking for money to support all three water plants.

Watch the May 5th, 2025 Update (at the 40-minute mark)

Read the May 5, 2025 Update Memo

April 9, 2025 – Upcoming Construction & Rate Increases

The Central Water Treatment Plant will be built at 1292 N. Frontage Road. Construction may start in July.
Local businesses there, like Carbone’s and Stacy’s Stars, are moving. The city is helping them relocate.
We’re applying for a low-interest loan to save money.
We may delay installing nitrate-removal equipment to save $3.1 million.
A 10% water rate increase is planned for July.

Watch the City Administrator's Update (Watch at the 50:24 Minute Mark)

March 5, 2025 – Support from Lawmakers

We asked the state for $16.6 million to help build the Eastern Plant.

Our local lawmakers support the request.
We spoke with the House Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 27.
We’re also planning a neighborhood meeting soon to talk about the Central Plant plans.

Watch the Council Update (at the 1:36:24 minute mark)

Read March 3, 2025 Council Memo

February 5, 2025 – Top Priority: Funding Water Treatment Plants

Our top priority this year is getting money to build the water plants.
We asked for $16.6 million for the Eastern Plant.
Our state senator and representative are strongly supporting the project.

Read the 2025 Legislative Priorities Fact Sheet

Read the 2025 PFAS Capital Funding Request

December 6, 2024 – Explaining the Plans

City staff released a video explaining:

What we’re doing to clean the water
Where the money could come from
What this means for your utility bill

December 4, 2024 – Land Purchased for Plant

We bought land at 1292 N. Frontage Road (where Carbone’s is now).
The Central Plant will cost around $26.7 million.
We may raise water rates in January and July 2025 to help cover the cost.
We’re also applying for state and federal funding.

Watch the City Administrator Report (58.35-minute mark)

October 21, 2024 – Water Rates Increasing

Water bills will go up 10% in January 2025.

6.5% for PFAS treatment
3.5% for inflation and maintenance

A second increase is expected in July.
You’ll get more info in the mail soon.

Watch a PFAS Update from the City Administrator (57:32-minute mark)

October 7, 2024 – Well #5 Linked to 3M Pollution

The state says Well #5 is contaminated by PFAS from 3M.
This means we can use 3M settlement funds to help pay for cleanup.
We’re still looking for connections between 3M and our other wells.

Listen to the Administrator's PFAS Update (29.58-minute mark)

September 4 & August 5, 2024 – Plant Locations and Costs

We’re working on plant design, site planning, and funding.
The first plant will be built in the Industrial Park in 2025.
Water rate increases are also being discussed.

Read the Water Treatment Plants Siting Study

Read the September 3, 2024 Memo to Council

Watch the Administrator Update ( 2:04:47 mark)

Read the August 5, 2024 Memo to Council

July 1, 2024 – Monthly City Update

The city shared an update at the July City Council meeting.
Staff talked about plant locations, costs, and funding options.

Read the Memo to Council

Watch the Administrator update (22.48-minute mark)

May 9, 2024 – Public Meeting on PFAS

We held a public meeting at Hastings High School.
The Minnesota Department of Health, MPCA, and city staff gave presentations.
People asked questions and learned how to stay safe.

Watch the May 9, 2024 PFAS Public Meeting

View the presentation slides:

April 10, 2024 – EPA Releases New PFAS Rules

The EPA set new PFAS limits: 4 parts per trillion.
We sent out a public notice and promised to hold a meeting within 30 days.

Read the Public Notice about Drinking Water

The Minnesota Department of Health PFAS webpage has general information about PFAS and human health and ongoing activities in Minnesota. The page also includes information on steps that consumers can take to protect themselves from exposure to PFAS. Residents with specific concerns should contact their healthcare providers.

The EPA Website is where you can find the EPA factsheets and other health resources provided.

March 2024 – Talk with Public Works Director

Our Public Works Director, Ryan Stempski, spoke about PFAS and other city projects on local radio
He explained how we’re planning to treat our water and fund the work.

PFAS Legislative Backgrounder

Read the PFAS Backgrounder

January 17, 2024 – New State Guidance

Minnesota released new health-based guidance for PFAS.
Hastings continues to work with state and federal agencies to stay in compliance and keep your water safe.

View the MDH Announcement

August 2023 – City Studying Water Safety

We studied options for treating PFAS.
Minnesota warned some people not to eat fish from certain rivers and lakes near Hastings.

View Council Presentation from August 2023 - PFAS Update

July 2023 – Fish Safety Warning

The state says certain people should not eat fish from:

The Mississippi River (Pool 2)
Lake Rebecca
Especially:
Kids under 15
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding

https://www.health.state.mn.us/.../enviro.../fish/index.html

Earlier Updates: 2022–2023

The EPA and Minnesota Health Department started reviewing PFAS rules.
Hastings began planning to build three water treatment plants.
City leaders met with state officials and started applying for help to pay for the work.

View the Council PFAS Presentation Information

Read a Statement from City Council

Minnesota Department of Health Presents to City Council About Pending Changes in PFAS Guidance News Announcement September 6, 2022

View the Presentation by the Minnesota Department of Health

Watch the Presentation at the City Council Meeting by the Minnesota Department of Health (begins at 6:10 time)