HASTINGS, Minn. — More than a hundred people went to Hastings High School Thursday night, though they weren't there for a sporting event. Water was top of their mind, after PFAS chemicals were found in the water system.
The EPA changed limits on how much of those chemicals could be in drinking water. Hastings is one of 23 Minnesota water systems that exceed those limits.
"I and council have made it our number one priority for safe drinking water in the City of Hastings," Mayor Mary Fasbender said, speaking to the crowd.
Five of Hastings six wells exceed the limits set by the EPA. To fully upgrade the system, the city would need three new water treatment facilities at a cost of nearly $70 million.
"That's why you hear us continually talk about we need help," Ryan Stempski said. "We need outside funding support to address this legacy contamination."
This comes after a settlement with 3M, where the company agreed to pay public water suppliers for damages. Hastings currently won't see any money from that.
City leaders say they don't currently have the funds to fix the issues.
Residents asked a wide range of questions during the nearly three hour meeting, including if their water was safe to drink and if this would lower the value of their homes.
Stempski says they're looking for external help, hoping to build those facilities soon.
"We're looking federally as well," he said, speaking to the crowd. "We're looking for federal earmarks, we're looking for the federal community project funding, and we're hopeful that at some point this year, we hear back on all these applications."
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