NEWS RELEASE: Robinson Township - 120th Avenue PFAS Study Area update

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May 9, 2019  |  NEWS RELEASE

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Robinson Township

120th Avenue PFAS Study Area Update

Media inquiries for the Ottawa County Department of Public Health:
Kristina Wieghmink
Public Information Officer
616-494-5597 or kwieghmink@miottawa.org

Media inquiries for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy:
Scott Dean
Communications Director
517-242-6175 or deans4@michigan.gov

Ottawa County
- Last fall during the Statewide Testing Initiative, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE, formerly MDEQ) identified Per- and Poly- Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the water supply well for Robinson Elementary School in Grand Haven. The school’s water supply well tested above the EPA Health Advisory Level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOS and PFOA combined. "Our students' safety is our utmost concern, and we're committed to providing our students and staff with safe drinking water," said Grand Haven Area Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Ingall. "As soon as we received news of the initial results, we immediately shut off all water fountains and provided the entire school with bottled water for drinking and cooking. The school continues to operate on bottled water, and we are actively working on system design for an on-site water filtration system. These systems are a long-term, cost-effective solution for the district." Additionally, Robinson Township officials confirmed that similar safety steps have been taken at Township buildings in the area.

The results of the school’s water supply well led to establishing the 120th Avenue PFAS Study Area in Robinson Township and testing sixty-six drinking water wells, one of which exceeded 70 ppt for PFOS and PFOA combined. “Our department worked closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a public health action plan,” said Matt Allen, environmental health supervisor with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health. “For every resident who had their drinking water wells tested by EGLE and had any detection of PFAS, we offered and installed point of use water filters.” In response to the elevated levels of PFAS discovered in the study area private wells, EGLE conducted a hydrogeologic investigation. The study was conducted primarily in the area of Robinson Elementary School and the Robinson Township Fire Department (RTFD) and Township Hall to further understand the presence of PFAS in the environment and to potentially identify what caused the PFAS contamination. Soil and groundwater testing identified PFAS at the school and the RTFD property, which indicates a source of PFAS was likely historically released on both properties. However, a distinct source of PFAS has not yet been identified. EGLE will continue to work with Robinson Township and the Grand Haven Area Public Schools to fully delineate the extent of PFAS in groundwater.

Investigation Results
Groundwater Flow Direction
Groundwater was encountered at very shallow depths in the study area; approximately two to four feet below the ground surface. The preliminary understanding was groundwater flows to the north and south from the school, and to the northeast near the RTFD. Given seasonal fluctuations in groundwater elevations, as well as nearby agricultural irrigation demands, the direction of groundwater flow may change seasonally.

Soil and Groundwater Results
The investigation included groundwater sampling at 10 locations and soil sampling at four locations. PFAS was found in groundwater at all 10 locations and in the soil at three of the four locations within the study area. The highest concentration of PFAS in groundwater during this investigation was detected on Robinson Township property north of the Fire Department building, which had total PFAS of 2,142 ppt and a combined concentration of PFOS and PFOA of 643.61 ppt. Two groundwater samples from monitoring wells located near the Fire Department exceeded the 70 ppt EPA Lifetime Health Advisory for PFOS and PFOA combined. PFAS was also detected in groundwater at Robinson Elementary School with a total concentration of PFAS of 409 ppt and a combined concentration of PFOS and PFOA of 61 ppt.

Potential Sources
The hydrogeologic investigation did not identify a definitive source of PFAS contamination in the area. The presence of PFAS compounds in soil samples and the elevated concentrations of PFAS in groundwater at Robinson Elementary School and the RTFD indicate the PFAS compounds may have been released at both locations. EGLE explored whether this could have been caused by the use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF or Class B Fire Fighting Foam). However, the RTFD indicated AFFF is not possessed nor historically used, and the Fire Department does not have any historical knowledge of AFFF being applied in the area. An investigation by EGLE confirmed the foam currently used by the RTFD does not contain PFAS. “We are thankful for our working relationships with EGLE and the State of Michigan Fire Marshal in looking into all possible areas for PFAS contamination,” said Emergency Management Director Nick Bonstell with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. “While we may not be able to identify one exact source, we are here to support the community with information as we work through the process.” AFFF has been available since the 1960s, and it is possible that it was applied in the area during an era that pre-dates the knowledge of anyone currently associated with the RTFD. No other potential sources such as illicit dumping or disposal of industrial waste have been identified.

Next Steps
Based on these findings, EGLE will continue to work with Robinson Township and Grand Haven Area Public Schools. Specifically, additional investigation is needed to assess the groundwater to the area north and east of the fire station. Timing of the expanded investigation is dependent on available funding and resources. Updates will be provided at www.miOttawa.org/pfas and www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse as information becomes available.

Meanwhile, the school will continue to provide bottled water until a water filtration system is in place. Residences within the study area that had any PFAS detection in drinking water wells are using bottled or filtered water. With regard to PFAS in drinking water wells, drinking is the primary way PFAS can get into the body. Washing hands and other skin contact is not considered a health concern as PFAS does not move easily through the skin. If you are concerned about PFAS exposure, please contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Toxicology hotline at 1-800-648-6942 or visit www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse. Additional information about PFAS exposure and health can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas.