GWINN, Mich. (WLUC) – Feubrary 26, TV6 & FOX UP posted a story on our website from the Associated Press about possible chemical contamination in the K.I.
Sawyer water system.
Right off the bat, Sawyer officials said the water system is clean, and residents should not worry.
In February, Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow were part of a group of lawmakers requesting a study of P.F.A.S.
contamination (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in several Michigan cities.
According to the E.P.A., the chemical is used in fire retardant foams, it is used a stain resistant coating and even used to keep food packaging from sticking to food.
"It is there in places, there were a few crashes out here where they had to spray foam on they also used to, they had a building out here, they would cover it with jet fuel, light it on fire and practice fire-fighting with the foam," Director of Sawyer Operations Steven Schenden said.
According to staff, the E.P.A.
"It’s a new emerging contaminate that they really did not have much information on beforehand but it’s something the Air Force started looking for," Sawyer Water Department Supervisor Nicholas Hautamaki said.
According to Schenden, samples are collected at the wells on base, tested in off-site labs, and results came back clean.