LAKE ELMO, Minn. (KMSP) – The City of Lake Elmo has issued a red alert over a high level of chemicals in the town’s drinking supply, with officials saying they’re taking a well and a water tower out of service this week to address the issue.
1 well, while in recent days other area residents have complained of brown water in their homes.
"This has been a burden on the people of Lake Elmo," said Justin Bloyer, the town’s interim mayor.
The chemicals in question first gained notoriety as an ingredient in Scotchguard and other products made by Twin Cities-based company 3M, who agreed to pay $850 million–the largest environmental settlement in state history–last month over the company’s dumping of PFCs in the east Metro.
Time, however, is running out on a solution.
"[After that] we won’t be able to provide water to anyone."
In order to correct this week’s problems Lake Elmo is taking both well No.
1 offline while increasing pressure from two other wells, planning to flush both offline systems at a high water pressure Wednesday morning in an attempt to rid it of chemicals.
Crews are also flushing hydrants across the city sporadically and instruct residents to run cold water for roughly 10 minutes Wednesday afternoon until the water clears.
"I’ve been hearing a lot about the water issues and that it’s very dangerous to be drinking so I just buy bottled water for me and my kids."