Wolverine Worldwide (parent company of Merrell, Chaco, Keds, Hush Puppies, and other footwear brands) might be headed to court over allegations that its tannery, which closed down in 2009 when production moved overseas, contaminated the drinking water in Rockford, Michigan, area.
Back in the 60s, Wolverine disposed of the chemicals in a licensed nearby facility, adhering to the standards and best practices of the time.
“We’re in the process of testing over 300 wells in the area,” he says.
Steve Kelso, marketing and communications manager at the Kent County Health Department, says “Some of those have returned results that are beyond the acceptable levels of PFAS,” he says.
The claims state that the handling resulted in possible danger to residents’ health and the environment. Varnum is investigating the correlation between the alleged chemicals from the Wolverine dumpsite and health problems that residents have been experiencing after drinking tap water.
“Many residents have serious health issues and now wonder if they are linked to this long-time exposure,” he says.
Wolverine Worldwide received a letter on Friday with the intent to sue over contamination at the old dumpsite.