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Results of the statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies

Results of the statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies

To ensure the drinking water for the largest portion of Michigan residents was tested for PFAS, beginning in April 2018, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) implemented a statewide survey to test Michigan's public water supplies across several phases of sampling. Results are provided in parts per trillion. A part per trillion (ppt) is the equivalent of 1 drop of water in 20 Olympic-size swimming pools

Prior to the beginning of this statewide survey, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) set a Lifetime Health Advisory (LHA) level for two PFAS in drinking water: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The LHA level is 70 parts per trillion (ppt, equal to 70 ng/L) for PFOA and PFOS combined, or individually if only levels for other PFAS chemicals. In the absence of a promulgated drinking water PFAS standard(s) at the time, the State of Michigan used 70 ppt for decision making purposes during the statewide survey. 

  • Check your water supplier's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for more recent results

    A CCR is also known as an annual drinking water quality report from your water supplier. Learn more about these reports and PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) 

Download the results of the Statewide PFAS Survey

Understanding the results

  • Definitions

    Definitions of the information provided in the sampling results tables:

    • WSSN: Water Supply Serial Number; unique identifier for each public water supply
    • System Type: the category assigned to each public water supply
      • ADFSTC: Adult foster care provider (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • CHLCMP: Children’s Camp (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • DAYCARE: Childcare provider or MI Head Start (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • INDUS: Industrial (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • MEDCAR: Medical care provider (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • MOTEL: Motel (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • MUN: Type I Community Water Supply
      • OFFICE: Office (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • PARK: Park (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • SCH: School (Type II Noncommunity Water Supply)
      • TRB: Federally Recognized Tribal water supply
    • Location Name: further details about where the specific sample was collected, consistent with its designation in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
    • SysLocCode, SysSampleCode, Lab Name Code, and LabSdg: include contractor-designated codes for sample specific information, consistent with the corresponding analytical report.
    • Position Source: where the sample’s geographic location was obtained, for the purpose of the MPART PFAS Information System Web Map.
    • Phase Code and Task Code: the phase of sampling within the Statewide Survey.
    • Sample Date: The date samples were taken at the water supply.
    • Treatment Status: Indicates the treatment status of the sample
    • Analytical Method: Analytical method utilized

  • Data flags

    These analytical results include detections for 14 – 28 PFAS analytes, depending on the analytical method used. Each result has a "flags" column that corresponds to important data qualifiers.

    Understanding the flags

    Contaminant data often include flags, also known as qualifiers, which are notes attached to data that gives detailed information about that particular result.

    • U = PFAS analyte not detected in the sample and therefore a null value is displayed.
    • J = an estimated concentration as the result is above the minimum detection limit (MDL) but below the laboratory reporting limit. 
    • J- = an estimated concentration as the result is above the minimum MDL, below the laboratory reporting limit, but biased low. 
    • UJ = indicates a not detected at the value estimated reporting limit. 
    • R =  indicate a rejected sample as serious quality control issues render the result value not usable. 
    • * = indicates that the result values have not been verified.

  • Analytes

    Regulated analytes in Michigan with an MCL

    • HFPO-DA (Hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid, also referred to as "GenX") = 370 ppt
    • PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid) = 420 ppt
    • PFHxA (perfluorohexanoic acid) = 400,000 ppt
    • PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid) = 51 ppt
    • PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) = 6 ppt
    • PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) = 8 ppt
    • PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) = 16 ppt

    Currently non-regulated analytes in Michigan

    • 11Cl-PF3OUdS (11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic Acid)
    • 9Cl-PF3ONS (9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid)
    • ADONA (4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid)
    • NEtFOSAA (2-(N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid)
    • NMeFOSAA (2-(N-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid) 
    • PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid) 
    • PFDoA (perfluorododecanoic acid) 
    • PFHpA (perfluoroheptanoic acid)
    • PFTA (perfluorotetradecanoic acid)
    • PFTrDA (perfluorotridecanoic acid) 
    • PFUnDA (perfluoroundecanoic acid)

    Other

    • na: not applicable