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Committee reviews PFAS treatment progress as granular-activated carbon (GAC) tanks arrive
Summary
Public works and utilities staff updated the committee on GAC tank deliveries, Well 3 bid timing, UCMR‑5 sampling windows and a recent PFAS class‑action deposit of about $850,000; staff said settlement funds will be held in a designated account for future treatment and media disposal costs.
Public Works and Utility Committee staff reported progress on PFAS treatment and other water‑system projects, including delivery of granular‑activated carbon (GAC) tanks and a recent class‑action payment that staff plan to reserve for treatment costs.
Committee members heard that the GAC tanks for the treatment plant have been delivered and staged, and that staff expect municipal contractors to begin onsite pump and rehab work for Well 4 next week. The committee heard that the Well 3 bid opening is scheduled for the next day and that the overall Well 3 treatment and associated plant upgrades are estimated at about $3,000,000.
Why it matters: The upgrades are part of the village’s response to PFAS and other contaminants and require coordination with state reviewers and lenders. The committee discussed how to pay for ongoing operating costs — especially future carbon media replacements and disposal — and whether to set aside settlement proceeds for operations rather than spend them immediately.
Details from staff: Utility operations staff said GAC tank delivery was a tight fit getting tanks through the treatment‑plant doorway; the tanks’ exteriors were painted and staff are scheduling pump rehab and disinfection work before startup. Staff said UCMR‑5 sampling is underway and Wells 3 and 4 being offline at times could affect the sampling window; there is a 5–7 month sampling window to collect required additional UCMR‑5 samples.
PFAS settlements and account planning: Staff reported receipt of a second class‑action payment from 3M totaling “just over about $850,000” that was deposited to the village account. Staff said the BASF and Tyco portions of the class actions have not been finalized and no amounts were yet available. Staff and a finance representative said they are creating a designated PFAS account to hold the settlement deposits and to pay for future media purchases and disposal costs; keeping the funds segregated will also help show operating costs to regulators and the public‑service commission when rate setting is reviewed.
Contracting, funding and schedule: For Well 3, staff told the committee that DNR review changed the village’s ability to rely on a previously planned waiver for the “Buy America/Build America” provisions tied to a Safe Drinking Water loan. That interpretation required giving contractors additional time to update bids; staff said those bids remain due the following day. Staff noted that the village expects to use the state Safe Drinking Water loan and that some principal forgiveness allocations remain available from the emerging contaminants program.
What the committee asked for: Members asked about how settlement money will be applied and how frequently carbon media would need replacement; staff estimated media replacement could be once or twice a year depending on pumping volumes. Committee members also asked staff to schedule start‑up and DNR coordination meetings to confirm startup checklists and compliance steps.
What’s next: Staff said they will return with bid results for Well 3 and with a recommended approach to startup and sampling logistics.
