Webpage Updated: November 19, 2020
Content Updated: October 8, 2020
Background
The Lacks Industries – Cascade site is located at 1601 Galbraith Ave S.E., in Grand Rapids. The site is a former metal plating manufacturer of zinc die-cast parts. Plating operations were conducted from 1963 until 1984. This site applied copper, nickel, and chromium plating to the parts. In the summer of 1984, the plating equipment was removed from the plant. The site was used to produce plastic parts from 1980 to 1987, and to assemble plastic parts from 1987 to 1997.
During the time it was an active plating operation, three seepage lagoons on the property received metal-bearing process wastewater. Following the closure of the plating line, the lagoons received non-contact cooling water and wash water from the paint area. Two consent judgements were issued to Lack’s Industries in the U.S. District Court in 1989; one to address cleanup and closure of the surface impoundments, and the other to determine the rate and extent of contamination in the groundwater.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) proactively tested this plating facility for PFAS due to the historical groundwater contamination. Nearby lakes include Walden Lake and Wood Lake. The stream that drains them discharges to the Thornapple River.
Recent Accomplishments
Next Steps
Residential Well Testing/Alternate Water Information
Upcoming Community Engagement
Type of Sample |
Date Sampled |
Number of Sample |
Number of Samples above |
Number of Samples above |
---|---|---|---|---|
Groundwater |
September 2020 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
Cumulative |
7 | 6 | 1 |
*Groundwater results are compared to EGLE Part 201 Drinking Water Criteria of PFOS 16 ppt and PFOA 8 ppt.
1 Detection limit used exceeds criteria for PFOA
Sampling notes
Historical Timeline
Type of Sample |
Date Sampled |
Number of Samples |
Number of Results Received |
Number of Non-detects |
Number of Detections Below Standard* |
Number of Detections Greater Than Standard* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drinking Water (Residential wells) | Through Jun 26, 2019 | 24 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0 |
Groundwater |
Aug 2018 - Oct 2019 |
125 | 125 | 79 | 20 | 26 |
Cumulative |
149 | 149 | 93 | 30 | 26 |
*Residential well results are compared to the USEPA LHA of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.
*Groundwater results are compared to EGLE Part 201 Criteria of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.
*Sampling chart includes locations that may have been sampled more than once.
Related Sampling Notes: