Download PDF
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (collectively “EGLE”) issued a July 26, 2019, report titled:
2018 PFAS Sampling of Drinking Water Supplies in Michigan (“Report”)
See Project No. 60570309.
EGLE states that the three organizations undertook a state-wide sampling of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) to proactively sample community water systems, schools, daycares, and tribal locations that utilize groundwater and/or surface water as their sources for drinking water to verify these supplies are protective of the populations they serve.
PFAS have been used in various industrial applications of consumer products such as:
- Fabrics for furniture
- Paper packaging for food and other materials resistant to water, grease or stains
- Firefighting airfields
- Utilization in several industrial processes
PFAS properties include resistance to heat, water, and oil. Further, they are described as persistent in the environment and resist degradation.
Several states have initiated rulemaking or issued guidance to establish ambient groundwater standards and legislation has been introduced to designate PFAS as a Comprehensive Environmental Compensation and Liability Act hazardous substance.
The Report states that a total of 1,741 facilities were sampled during the 2018 Michigan PFAS Sampling Program. The sampling included 64 municipalities with intakes in one of the Great Lakes, connecting channels, or inland rivers. Also included were 1,048 facilities that rely on groundwater. The associated objective was to evaluate and perform an initial statewide screening for PFAS in the drinking water facilities for approximately 75% of Michigan’s population.
The sampling was undertaken through a contract with AECOM.
A total of 89.9% of the facilities sampled were stated to have been found to be non-detect for the 14 PFAS compounds analyzed with a reporting limit of 2 and 4 ng/L. A total of 6.6% of the facilities sampled were found to be in the low tier with a Total PFAS below 10 ng/L. Further, a total of 3.6% of the facilities sampled were found to be in the medium tier with a Total PFAS above 10 ng/L and PFOA+PFOS concentration below 70 ng/L. Also, a total of 0.1% of the facilities sampled were found to be in the high tier with PFOA+PFOS above 70 ng/L.
A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.
