Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were made and used by several companies around the world in household and industrial products such as stain repellents, lubricants, fire retardants, and suppressants, and more. The 3M Company made PFAS at its Cottage Grove facility from the late 1940s until 2002.
PFAS wastes were disposed of at several sites in Washington County including locations in Lake Elmo, Oakdale, and in southern Woodbury near Woodbury Drive (3M Woodbury site). The source of the PFAS in our groundwater has been identified as these disposal sites and the manufacturing facility in Cottage Grove.
View the PFAS Timeline (PDF) for the activity in Woodbury.