Task force seeks input
on landfill containing PFAS

Remediation plan slated for completion in February 2026

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | February 2025

A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) task force has been formed to address contamination at the former Pig’s Eye landfill in St. Paul, which may be contributing to the high levels of PFAS in South St. Paul’s municipal water supply. The task force is charged with developing a restoration plan for the site by February 2026. This winter, it will issue a survey seeking public feedback on future uses of the site.
The landfill is located just north of Pig’s Eye Lake, within the Mississippi River floodplain. Owned by the city of St. Paul, the 200-acre landfill collected more than 8 million cubic yards of unregulated municipal, commercial and industrial waste between 1956-1972. In 1989, it was placed on the state’s list of Superfund sites, which required cleanup expenses to be covered by those responsible for contamination.

pfas from pig's eye landfill — Location of Pig’s Eye Landfill

In the early 2000s, nearly $6 million was used for initial cleanup efforts but the site still has significant levels of PFAS, methane gas, and metals, including cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. If you go there today, it may appear to be a healthy environment but that’s only because a two-foot soil cap was installed over the dump. The situation below the surface is very different.

The Pig’s Eye Dump Task Force was formed last spring using $800,000 in state funding to address PFAS contamination of Battle Creek, Pig’s Eye Lake and nearby groundwater. South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis is a member of the group as well as representatives from the MPCA, Metropolitan Council, City of St. Paul, City of Newport, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Health and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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Last spring, it was estimated that seven of South St. Paul’s eight wells fail new federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” – the limit is no more than 4 parts per trillion. While alarming, there is no need to seek an alternative water source or boil water. The city of South St. Paul has already hired the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for $1.2 million to complete well monitoring and create a corrective action plan within three years.

PFAS are prevalent in the environment and have been used since the 1940s in products such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant clothing and firefighting foam. Exposure to certain PFAS over a long period of time can cause cancer and other illnesses, and exposure during pregnancy or early childhood can result in adverse health effects. For more information on PFAS and the new drinking water standard, visit epa.gov and search “PFAS.”
The task force meets every other month. The meetings are open to the public, and the next one is slated for 9-11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, at the MPCA office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul. For more information on the site and survey, visit pca.state.mn.us.

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