|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 30, 2020
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
EGLE to update community on Otsego area PFAS investigation
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) will host a virtual town hall 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2020, to brief residents of the Otsego area on the continuing investigation into PFAS contamination in the area.
MPART, which includes the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), has been working with the Allegan County Health Department, the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department to identify sources of PFAS contamination in Otsego area since early 2018.
PFAS compounds were found in soil collected from fields across the study area in 2019. This led to the sampling of shallow residential drinking water wells down-gradient from the fields. Laboratory testing showed PFAS present above standards in 14 drinking water wells in the Hazelwood subdivision of Otsego Township. That testing data led to additional targeted soil and groundwater sampling efforts in the subdivision and a nearby farm field. EGLE also collected 38 drinking water samples down-gradient of other farm fields where PFAS were found. This testing found two additional drinking water wells with exceedances of the recently revised PFAS standards for drinking water.
Registration is open for the online public information meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you do not have internet access and would like to join by phone, use the following phone number: 213-787-0529 and code 881478.
Pre-registration is not required to attend the meeting. Individuals interested in participating can click the link above at the start of the event (6 p.m.).
To access detailed information regarding the Otsego Area Study, visit the EGLE webpage at https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse. EGLE also answers calls at 269-567-3500. For health-related concerns, call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-648-6942.
###
|
