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Groundwater

PFAS criteria and other values
Groundwater

Groundwater criteria for PFAS in residential and nonresidential groundwater in Michigan

Values are listed in parts per trillion (ppt) which are equivalent to nanograms per liter.

Specific PFAS Criteria (ppt)
PFOS 16
PFOA 8
PFNA 6
PFBS 420
PFHxA 400,000
PFHxS 51
HXPO-DA (GenX) 370

About the groundwater criteria for PFAS in residential and nonresidential groundwater in Michigan

  • Effective: August 3, 2020
  • Regulatory authority: These rules are established under Act 451 of 1994, as amended, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA): Part 201 Environmental Remediation.

To find cleanup criteria for other contaminants under Part 201, visit the EGLE Cleanup Criteria Requirements for Response Activity webpage.

History of groundwater criteria in Michigan

January 2018

First Michigan groundwater criterion: 70 ppt PFOA + PFOS

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (now EGLE) established a 70 parts per trillion (ppt) criterion for PFOA + PFOS in groundwater used as drinking water.

The 70 ppt could be met by the combined concentration or, where only one was detected, that individual PFAS.

This was based on the then-current U.S. EPA Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt.

August 3, 2020

Major change: 70 ppt PFOS + PFOA replaced with individual criteria

Michigan's new Part 201 groundwater criteria took effect:

  • PFOA: 8 ppt
  • PFOS: 16 ppt

This replaced the previous combined PFOA/PFOS = 70 ppt criterion. The change substantially lowered the criteria for the two primary PFAS being regulated.

December 21, 2020

Five additional PFAS added

Michigan expanded its groundwater cleanup criteria to seven PFAS:

  • PFOA: 8 ppt
  • PFOS: 16 ppt
  • PFNA: 6 ppt
  • PFHxS: 51 ppt
  • PFHxA: 400,000 ppt
  • PFBS: 420 ppt
  • HFPO-DA/GenX: 370 ppt