Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Valley Branch Watershed District
On April 26, 2023, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and its contractor led the Valley Branch Watershed District Managers and support staff on a tour of the surface-activated foam fractionation (SAFF) system. The MPCA is operating the SAFF system to determine how effectively it can remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water in Raleigh Creek and groundwater.
Learn more about PFAS in Valley Branch Watershed District and the SAFF system here:
East Metro | 3M PFAS contamination | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)
PFAS Fighter: The SAFF arrives in Minnesota - YouTube
Project 1007 SAFF Pilot Study Update, March 2023 - YouTube
The Minnesota Department of Health advises that no fish should be eaten from the following waterbodies in Valley Branch Watershed because of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in fish tissue:
- Eagle Point Lake
- Lake Elmo
- Tartan Park/The Royal Golf Club at Lake Elmo Wetland
- Horseshoe Lake
- H.J. Brown Pond
- Interstate 94 Rest Area Pond
- St. Croix River
At Lake DeMontreville, the Minnesota Department of Health advises limiting the frequency of eating fish because of PFOS. Crappie should not be eaten more than two meals per week, and sunfish should not be eaten more than one meal per week.