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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: May 5, 2026 <br />Presentation <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />AGENDA ITEM: Biofilm Mediated Destruction of PFAS in Groundwater Research <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community <br />☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance <br />☐Managed Growth <br />☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The City of Lake Elmo supports research focused on removing and destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) <br />to provide safe drinking water to our community and the entire East Metro. <br />The City has previously partnered with Bay West, General Atomics and the US Army Engineer Research and <br />Development Center (ERDC) to conduct testing and research to destroy PFAS substances such as the foam concentrate <br />that was removed from the water using the SAFF system within city limits. <br />Baywest in partnership with University of Minnesota and Freshwater are conducting research to identify microbes <br />capable of PFAS destruction. <br />Staff met with representatives from Baywest to learn more about their research. <br />Presenting tonight will be Seth Thompson from Freshwater, Keith Rapp, Baywest and Jonna Spanier, PE, Baywest.