Our Challenges
The City’s water system is facing two important challenges.
Much of the water system is aging, and PFAS are present in the regional groundwater supply, making it important to proactively upgrade the system and address issues rather than wait for problems to emerge.
Aging Infrastructure
Our water facilities are showing their age. After decades of use, watermains and the City’s two water towers need repairs and upgrades to ensure water can be stored and delivered reliably to residents.
With proactive investment, the City reduces the risk of failures, service interruptions and costly emergency repairs.
PFAS Treatment
Trace levels of PFAS have been detected in Oak Park Heights’ water system. Across the East Metro, PFAS were discovered in water systems years ago when industrial waste entered the groundwater supply and spread through regional aquifers, including the Jordan aquifer that serves Oak Park Heights.
The City carefully monitors PFAS levels to confirm they stay within federal safety thresholds.
Because trace amounts exist, nearby communities are seeing increases, and safety guidelines continue to evolve, the City is proactively planning to build a PFAS removal water treatment facility.