Agreement will support technology enhancements
for area water quality, remedial action
ST.
PAUL, Minn., Nov. 3, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have agreed on plans
to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the
Cordova region. Through the agreement, 3M will build on its work to address past PFAS
manufacturing in the area and install new and innovative
technologies at its Cordova site that will enhance the quality of
water used in its operations.
"This agreement demonstrates the positive impact that engagement
between regulators and 3M can have
for communities, and we appreciate the EPA's work to reach this
milestone," said John Banovetz,
3M Executive Vice President, Chief
Technology Officer and Environmental Responsibility. "We are
committed to continuing our work with community and government
stakeholders to chart a path forward that uses science to manage
our operations, create important products people rely on, and
engage our communities."
Through the agreement:
- 3M will expand the scope of its
sampling efforts for drinking water to a wider area, which will
help improve understanding of conditions in the area.
- 3M will also support installation
of treatment technologies for the Camanche public water system to
enhance the quality of area drinking water for its customers.
Prior to the agreement, 3M
initiated significant work to manage issues identified in the order
for the Cordova and Quad Cities communities, including:
- Offering water treatment systems to residents near the Cordova
facility who get their drinking water from an underground well -
regardless of the sampling results.
- Voluntarily beginning sampling of drinking water in a large
area around the Cordova facility in July, 2022.
- Conducting soil sampling in the Cordova area to investigate the
presence of certain PFAS, and sharing its results with the EPA,
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), and Iowa
Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
- Completing construction of a more than $170 million state-of-the-art wastewater
treatment system at the Cordova facility that is anticipated to
capture more than 95 percent of PFAS in water.
3M and EPA have had a useful
dialogue on these issues dating back to 3M's previous announcement
in its Q4 2019 earnings call. The proactive steps the company has
taken since, with guidance from EPA, have helped inform this
agreement and our path forward for the future.
Our continued engagement with the EPA will build on our strong
existing foundation of progress and investment, and we are
committed to keeping our communities and neighbors informed of our
progress.
About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world
for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science
to reimagine what's possible, our global team uniquely addresses
the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and
planet. Learn how we're working to improve lives and make what's
next at 3M.com/news or
on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews.
3M Investor Contacts:
Bruce Jermeland, 651-733-1807
or
Diane Farrow, 612-202-2449
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3m-and-us-environmental-protection-agency-announce-comprehensive-agreement-for-cordova-region-drinking-water-301668114.html
SOURCE 3M