A Local Plumber’s Answer to the Twin Cities’ ‘Forever Chemical’ Crisis

WOODBURY, MN – December 04, 2025 – Beneath the manicured lawns and placid lakes of the eastern Twin Cities suburbs lies an invisible threat, a legacy of industrial progress that has seeped into the very water that sustains communities. For decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been quietly infiltrating the region’s groundwater. Now, as public awareness and regulatory scrutiny reach a fever pitch, an unexpected innovator is stepping into the breach: a local plumbing company, armed with decades of trust and sophisticated filtration technology.

This isn't a story about a Silicon Valley startup, but about market disruption born from necessity. A.J. Alberts Plumbing, a fixture in Woodbury for over 35 years, is strategically pivoting its deep expertise in water quality to address the pervasive anxiety over these “forever chemicals,” demonstrating how established local businesses can become frontline responders in complex environmental challenges.

The Contamination Next Door

The scale of the PFAS problem in Minnesota is staggering. Originating primarily from manufacturing and disposal sites linked to 3M dating back to the 1970s, the contamination has created a sprawling underground plume. It covers more than 150 square miles across the eastern metro, impacting the drinking water for an estimated 140,000 residents in communities like Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, and Hastings. Cottage Grove, home to a 3M facility, is often called “ground zero” for the pollution.

The term “forever chemicals” is not hyperbole; these compounds are notoriously resistant to breaking down in the environment and the human body. The health implications, confirmed by agencies like the EPA, are severe. Links have been established to kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and developmental issues in children. The federal government has taken notice, with the EPA establishing new, legally enforceable limits for certain PFAS in drinking water in April 2024, confirming that there is no safe level of exposure without risk.

In Woodbury, nine of the city's 20 municipal wells have required treatment due to elevated PFAS levels. In nearby Hastings, five of its six wells exceed the new federal limits, necessitating a planned $61.7 million investment in new treatment plants. While municipalities scramble to build large-scale infrastructure—often funded by an $850 million state settlement with 3M—many residents are unwilling to wait, seeking immediate solutions to protect their families.

From Pipes to Purity: A Strategic Evolution

Enter A.J. Alberts Plumbing. Founded in 1989, the company has built a formidable reputation for reliability, culminating in its recent recognition as the “Best Plumber in Woodbury” for 2025. While known for traditional services like drain cleaning and water line repair, the company has quietly cultivated a specialization that now sits at the heart of its business strategy. Water conditioning already accounts for roughly 40% of its work, a foundation of expertise now being laser-focused on the PFAS crisis.

This is a calculated response to a clear and growing market demand. The company’s owner, Steve Grohn, frames it in personal terms. “As a Washington County resident for more than 25 years, I am fully aware of how important water quality is to our health,” he stated, highlighting a commitment that resonates deeper than a simple business opportunity. By offering free water tests at every appointment, the firm is demystifying a complex problem for homeowners, turning anxiety into actionable knowledge.

This pivot showcases a powerful form of market disruption. Instead of relying solely on overburdened public utilities, residents are empowered to take control of their own water quality. A.J. Alberts is positioning itself not just as an installer of equipment, but as a trusted local advisor in a time of uncertainty, leveraging decades of community presence into a competitive advantage over larger, less personal national chains.

The Technology of Safe Water

Addressing an invisible, microscopic threat requires precise and proven technology. The company’s strategy hinges on deploying the most effective residential filtration systems recognized by health authorities for PFAS removal. While the firm offers a range of water conditioning products, two technologies stand out in this fight: reverse osmosis and activated carbon filtration.

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are considered the gold standard for residential PFAS removal. These units, typically installed under a sink to provide purified water for drinking and cooking, use a semi-permeable membrane to force out a wide array of contaminants. According to the EPA and numerous studies, a properly maintained RO system can remove over 90%, and in many cases up to 99%, of PFAS compounds, including both the legacy long-chain chemicals and the more difficult-to-capture short-chain variants. They provide a powerful, point-of-use barrier against ingestion.

For homeowners seeking a whole-house solution, granular activated carbon (GAC) systems offer another robust option. These larger systems treat all water entering the home, reducing exposure not only from drinking but also from skin absorption during showering. GAC filters work through adsorption, where PFAS molecules stick to the vast surface area of the porous carbon. While highly effective against long-chain PFAS like PFOA and PFOS, their performance can vary with shorter-chain chemicals. Regular filter replacement is crucial, a key piece of information that responsible installers emphasize to customers.

By specializing in these certified technologies, A.J. Alberts is translating broad public health warnings into tangible, in-home solutions, effectively creating a final, personalized line of defense where municipal systems may not yet be sufficient.