One of the largest water treatment facilities in the U.S. for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is now under construction in the City of Woodbury, Minnesota.
On November 7, 2024, the city hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new water treatment plant that could approach US$350 million. The plant and associated pipeline infrastructure will treat up to 32 million gallons per day (121,133 cubic metres) of water for PFAS removal. Jacobs provided design services for the project with AE2S Engineering and is now delivering the construction management services.
The City of Woodbury is a community located in the southeast Minneapolis / St. Paul Metropolitan Area (Twin Cities) and home to approximately 85,000 people.
PFAS were first detected in drinking water supplies in the eastern Twin Cities area in 2004, with subsequent research helping to identify the source and level of contamination. Most of the contamination was traced to dump sites or landfills that had been used by 3M manufacturing facilities to dispose of PFAS-laden wastes, according to Jacobs.
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The State of Minnesota recently settled a lawsuit with 3M requiring financial support for residents and municipalities impacted by the PFAS contamination plume – including the City of Woodbury and its contaminated groundwater supply.
In response, the city is pursuing a long-term water treatment solution to remove PFAS contaminants from its drinking water and restore production capacity in a fast-growing area. Average water samples taken at all the city’s wells exceed the Minnesota Department of Health’s 2024 Health– Based Values for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), while all but three wells exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA.
The city currently treats six wells through a temporary water treatment plant and has three additional wellhead treatment facilities. All wells that have received Minnesota Department of Health issued health advisories are being treated.
The city’s long-term PFAS solution involved assessment of raw water supply, future demand and treatment strategies as part of a holistic master planning effort. Jacobs is teamed with AE2S Engineering to complete this critical task for the city. Jacobs’ services include senior technical expertise for PFAS treatment technologies, design (process, architectural, structural, plumbing, HVAC) and cost estimating.
The main project component is the construction of the new 32 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant for PFAS removal and 27 kilometres of new raw and distribution system piping, which Jacobs has designed with AE2S. The overall project cost will approach US$300-350 million, paid for in large part by the Minnesota State Settlement with 3M. The plant is designed to be expanded to a future treatment capacity of 48 MGD (181,700 cubic metres) and provide flexibility for conversion to ion exchange or alternative absorptive media to adapt to changing regulations and treatment technologies.
“As more communities in the U.S. prepare PFAS treatment solutions to protect public health and meet new regulations, the City of Woodbury’s approach is a model for long-term, large-scale PFAS treatment,” said Jacobs Global Director for Drinking Water & Reuse Solutions, Russell Ford. “As part of our support for the City of Woodbury on this project, we’re designing one of the nation’s largest water treatment plants for PFAS removal, which will improve water quality and capacity for the community and provide flexibility as demand and regulations change.”
