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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2022
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
Kevin Wojciechowski, Wojciechowskik@Michigan.gov, 586-623-2948
Public meeting set to discuss pre-emptive actions to protect Village of Milford’s drinking water
A public meeting on April 27 will explore actions underway to protect the Village of Milford’s drinking water from a potential contamination threat.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Administrative Order requiring ZF Active Safety US Inc. (ZF) to install a treatment system to address contamination threatening the Village of Milford’s drinking water. It is important to note that this is a pre-emptive measure and the Village of Milford’s water supply remains safe to use and drink.
Groundwater contamination has migrated from property formerly owned and operated by ZF’s predecessor Kelsey-Hayes Company. The contamination is composed of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), which are harmful to human health, even at low levels. These CVOCs have migrated beyond the current groundwater treatment system that ZF has in place to treat the contamination, and pose a threat to the Village of Milford’s drinking water supply wells.
On June 4, 2021, EGLE was notified by ZF’s Environmental Consultant of the presence of vinyl chloride, one of the CVOCs, in excess of drinking water standards in a monitoring well close to the Village of Milford’s drinking water wells. EGLE notified ZF of its responsibility to address the threat, and after ZF failed to take action in a timely manner, EGLE proceeded to issue the Administrative Order.
The Administrative Order requires ZF to follow strict deadlines while working with the Village of Milford and EGLE to install a permanent treatment system that will protect the Village of Milford’s water supply if the contamination reaches the wells and to provide financial assurance for the long-term operation of the treatment system. The Administrative Order also provides for emergency response measures if the contamination reaches the Village of Milford’s drinking water supply before the permanent treatment system is installed.
To reiterate, this is a pre-emptive measure and the Village of Milford’s water supply remains safe to use and drink. EGLE is working continuously with the Village of Milford to protect public health, safety, welfare and the environment.
A virtual public meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 27, 2022, to provide further information and answers to any questions regarding the Administrative Order. To attend the meeting, register at https://bit.ly/3L43JrS. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
To stay up to date on other EGLE news follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.
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