Separating Failed Roads from Maintenance

The town board has taken a focused approach by distinguishing between projects aimed at catching up on failed roads and those related to ongoing road maintenance. I will continue this process to produce a clear and organized timeline for the next 10 years allowing residents to anticipate improvements and understand how resources are being utilized. This separation allows us to maintain our roads at a more consistent and predictable pace, as well as at a manageable cost for the community.

Building on Recent Progress

Significant progress has already been made this year in addressing road issues. This momentum provides an excellent opportunity to expand our comprehensive road plan and ensure that all roads in our township are addressed for years to come.

The Need for Improved Communication

West Lakeland urgently needs a new website that better serves the community. An updated website is essential for fostering open and effective communication. It should be easy to access and navigate, allowing residents to quickly find the information they need. The site should be simple in its design, cost-effective to implement, and easy to maintain over time. Currently, the existing website lacks a responsive design and was not created with mobile devices in mind, making it difficult for many community members to access important information.

Key Features for a Modern Website

To truly support effective communication, the new website must offer easy access to documents and information, provide opportunities for residents to give feedback, and enable users to receive notifications about township events and updates. Additionally, the ability to watch live and recorded meetings online is critical, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all. Starting with a simple design and keeping costs in mind will lay a strong foundation for effective communication and community engagement.

State Health Standards and Well Testing

State health standards for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can raise significant concerns in West Lakeland. These standards require increased testing of private wells throughout the area. Many residents are understandably worried that stricter regulations could make it more difficult to sell their homes due to potential water quality issues.

GAC Filters and Water Safety

Fortunately, the granular activated carbon (GAC) filters installed in homes by the state—funded by 3M—are providing effective treatment for private well water.

Additionally, 3M has committed to paying for the installation and maintenance of GAC filters indefinitely. This agreement will continue even after the $850 million settlement funds are depleted, thanks to a legal consent agreement established between the state and 3M.

Changing Standards for PFAS Compounds

There are thousands of PFAS compounds, with PFOA and PFOS being the most extensively studied. Over the past two decades, the allowable limits for these chemicals have dropped dramatically. For example, the state standard for PFOA has gone from 7 parts per billion twenty years ago to 0.24 parts per trillion in 2024, with the federal standard now at 4 parts per trillion. Similarly, PFOS limits have decreased from 1 part per billion to 2.3 parts per trillion, closely aligned with the federal standard of 4 parts per trillion.

Expansion of Well Testing

Currently, about 650 private wells in the area have been sampled and will now require GAC filters, since previous tests did not exceed the updated health standards. In addition, approximately 1,300 wells will need to be resampled using advanced laboratory methods with lower reporting limits. This process is expected to take between one and two years, as there are limited labs capable of performing this specialized work—and none are owned by 3M.

Unsampled Wells and Testing Refusals

There are also wells that have never been sampled, either because they were believed to be outside of the groundwater contamination plume or because homeowners declined free testing offered by the state. At last count, about 140 homes in West Lakeland Township had refused testing. Refusing these free water tests puts families and their neighbors at risk, as it becomes more difficult for the state to track contaminant plumes and ensure safe water for everyone.

Further Information

For additional details on PFAS and its effects on human health in Minnesota, please visit this resource.

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfcs.html