The Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) contracted with WSB to apply for a state agency grant to investigate groundwater contamination on their West Lakeland Township property. The PIIC had concerns that an existing well located on the 112-acre property was contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). WSB staff worked with the PIIC to conduct a study that opened the land up for future development, allowing for community and economic growth.
PIIC acquired the West Lakeland property in 2009. The property is located 30 miles north of the community’s reservation in Welch. The land was undeveloped, and the PIIC sought to develop it for housing and business. To move forward, the existing irrigation well on the property needed to be converted to a well for drinking water.
WSB first coordinated with a local well drilling company to pump the groundwater in the well at a high rate so that it could be sampled. The samples were analyzed for contamination, and a certified laboratory identified heightened PFAS levels. The PIIC secured funding for the well repurposing from the settlement. They also received a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to complete a feasibility study to determine the treatment requirements and costs to treat this well with an onsite water treatment system versus purchasing drinking water from a nearby public water system. Ultimately, an onsite water treatment system was the most feasible option, and with the settlement funds and the grant, the PIIC will be able to convert the existing well for drinking water and construct a water treatment facility for PFAS removal.