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Tawas' Huron Shore Regional Utility Authority
Updated: February 13, 2019
Tawas' Huron Shore Regional Utility Authority (HSRUA) has had PFAS detections in drinking water below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Lifetime Health Advisory (LHA) level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOS and PFOA. The HSRUA is the alternative municipal water supply being considered for properties affected by the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB) plume. The HSRUA sells treated water to Oscoda Township, who in turn distributes it to Township residents.
The HSRUA provides information to their customers on PFAS testing.
- On December 15, 2015, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) collects raw and treated water from the HSRUA, which is considered as an alternative source of drinking water for properties affected by the former WAFB plume. Sample results showed the presence of PFAS at low levels. EGLE repeats sampling in June 2016.
- Raw water
- < 2.0 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 5.3 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Treated water
- 1.1 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 6.7 ppt Total Tested PFAS
?
- Raw water
- On June 8, 2016, EGLE resamples the raw and treated water from the HSRUA. Results continue to show low levels of PFOS and PFOA.
- Raw water, ranging from:
- 10.4 – 13.7 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 33.6 – 48.0 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Treated water, ranging from
- 7.8 – 8.6 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 22.3 – 27.6 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- EGLE also tests Pump Station #2, a distribution pump station for HSRUA located several miles from the water treatment facility. The pump station had results between 8.0 – 16.7 ppt PFOS+PFOA and 18.2 – 74.2 ppt Total Tested PFAS.
- The cause of the increase from the December 2015 sample is unknown. EGLE decides to evaluate the situation with monthly testing to determine if there is an issue.
- Raw water, ranging from:
- On July 28, 2016, EGLE resamples the raw and treated water from the HSRUA. Sample results continued to show low levels of PFAS.
- Raw water
- 0.8 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 0.8 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Treated water
- 0.9 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 0.9 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Raw water
- On July 29, 2016, EGLE resamples Pump Station #2. Results show 0.9 ppt PFOS+PFOA and 0.9 ppt Total Tested PFAS.
- On August 11 and 25, 2016, EGLE resamples the raw and treated water from the HSRUA. Results are consistent with previous results; showing low levels of PFAS.
- Raw water, ranging from:
- 2.9 – 3.4 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 3.9 – 9.7 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Treated water, ranging from:
- 1.5 – 2.7 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 2.7 – 5.6 ppt Total Tested PFAS
?
- Raw water, ranging from:
- On September 1, 2016, EGLE resamples the raw and treated water from the HSRUA. Results continue to show low levels of PFAS.
- Raw water
- 1.6 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 5.8 – 8.8 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Treated water
- 7.3 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 12.2 – 15.3 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Raw water
- On October 12, 2016, EGLE resamples the raw and treated water from the HSRUA. Results continue to show low levels of PFAS.
- Raw water
- 5.1 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 8.2 ppt Total Tested PFAS
- Treated water
- 3.4 ppt PFOS+PFOA
- 7.6 ppt Total Tested PFAS
?
- Raw water
- At this point, it is determined the levels have been consistently and reliably below a level that would be considered a risk to human health, and EGLE’s monthly testing for PFAS has ceased.
- On November 15, 2018, the HSRUA municipal supply was tested as part of EGLE’s statewide initiative to test all public water supplies. Both the raw and the treated water for the supply were sampled.
- On December 13, 2018, the results were sent to HSRUA. Results from both the treated water and the raw water were non-detect for PFOS+PFOA and Total Tested PFAS. Results from this testing are available on EGLE’s public water supply statewide sampling survey page; search for "Huron Shore Regional Utility Authority".