Dakota County unveils PFAS contamination dashboard for local wells

Dakota County in Minnesota has released a new online dashboard showing PFAS contamination in local wells. The tool provides easy access to test results for both private and environmental water sources. Officials say the data has been available for years, but the dashboard simplifies viewing. Testing for PFAS, often called 'forever chemicals', began in Dakota County in 2018. Out of 114 private drinking wells checked, 94 showed detectable levels of the substances. Some of these exceeded state and federal drinking guidelines.

All 27 environmental wells tested in the county also contained PFAS. One affected site was Janet Frandrup’s farm in rural Hastings, where elevated levels were found. The Minnesota Department of Health already maintains a statewide dashboard for community water systems with high PFAS levels.

To address the issue, Dakota County advises residents with contaminated wells to use granulated activated carbon filters. This treatment method helps reduce PFAS in drinking water. The new dashboard makes it simpler for residents to check PFAS levels in their area. With over 8,000 private wells in the county, the tool provides clarity on contamination risks. Filtration systems are recommended where levels exceed safety standards.