PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, MICH. (WZZM) – Amid growing concern about the safety of groundwater near an old Wolverine Worldwide dumpsite in Plainfield Township, there is differing ideas over what level of contamination should be a concern.
“I am saying any detection in the groundwater, in a person’s groundwater well for drinking, I would recommend at this time not to use it for drinking or cooking,’’ said Christina Bush, a toxicologist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The federal government, however, is more forgiving.
Its health advisory level is set at 70 parts per trillion and does not make a distinction between private wells and municipal water.
Municipal supplies that test positive for low levels of PFAS are less of a concern, she said.
On Wednesday, Rockford Public Schools announced that well water at three of its elementary schools tested positive for trace amounts of PFAS.
Levels at Cannonsburg, Crestwood and Lakes elementary schools in Cannon Township ranged from 0.891 to 1.25 parts per trillion – well below the EPA advisory level.
But in trying to put it in perspective, everybody somewhere along the line has some of that in their body.’’ He says he will have water tested at the three elementary schools and at East Rockford Middle School each May.
“At this point, until we receive results on the well testing, we don’t know exactly how many homes that will be.’’ The township’s municipal water, which serves about 35,000 customers, has consistently tested positive for low levels of PFAS, Plainfield Township Public Works Director Rick Solle said.
Recent tests showed levels at 8.1 parts per trillion, he said.