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Flint River Watershed

Flint River Watershed

Updated: March 2025

The Flint River drains portions of seven counties in mid-Michigan. The watershed is more than 1,300 square miles and consists of hundreds of tributary creeks, lakes, and the Flint River proper. In 2013 the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ, now EGLE) detected PFAS in samples from the Flint River. The discovery of the elevated concentrations of PFAS in the Flint River has led to numerous investigations of potential sources and mitigation efforts, including Gilkey Creek and Lapeer Plating and Plastics. These investigations have also led to fish consumption advisories to protect the public, which are available on the Department of Health and Human Service’s (DHHS) Eat Safe Fish webpage.  PFAS refers to the entire family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.  One of the most commonly detected substances is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), in part because it bioaccumulates, or builds up, within aquatic organisms compared to the water in which they live in.  This is why we typically measure PFOS concentrations in water in parts per trillion (ppt) whereas in fish it is commonly measured in parts per billion (ppb).

The city of Flint currently obtains its drinking water from the Great Lakes Water Authority, which was tested in November 2017 and found not to have detectable levels of PFAS.  Additionally, EGLE’s statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began testing the Great Lakes Water Authority in 2018.  For latest test results, contact the Great Lakes Water Authority directly or refer to the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative.

The timeline below discuss PFAS investigations, findings, and MPART sites located in the Flint River Watershed.  Please note that not all MPART sites directly impact the Flint River and its tributaries, but all are included that are located within the watershed.  All MPART sites, by definition, have had PFAS above groundwater criteria.  For current information about these MPART sites, see the linked MPART site webpages.

Source reduction and control strategies are being or have been implemented watershed wide, and routine surface water and fish tissue monitoring will continue to assess the impact of these strategies on the Flint River Watershed. Periodic updates to the timeline, for significant work, will continue.

Reports

  • None at this time.

Next Steps

  • EGLE is awaiting the PFAS results for fish collected from the Holloway Reservoir and the south branch of the Flint River in 2020.
  • EGLE will conduct the POCIS study in 2021 to monitor PFAS trends in the Flint River watershed.
  • EGLE will continue to monitor PFAS in fish from the Holloway Reservoir in 2021.
  • Work under the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) PFAS Initiative will continue for the Flint WWTP, Genesee County Ragnone WWTP, and the Lapeer WWTP.  These municipalities will be continuing to evaluate and reduce sources of PFOS and PFOA, as well as consider local PFAS regulatory options.

Investigation Timeline

  • 2013

    • August 9 - EGLE collected surface water samples from the Flint River.
    • August 19 - EGLE received PFAS results for the follow up surface water samples collected statewide, including those collected from the Flint River.  Concentrations of PFOS in river water samples were lower at nearly all of the sites sampled in 2013 compared to concentrations in samples collected at the same sites in 2001. The exception was the Flint River where the 2013 PFOS concentration was over 3 times higher than measured in 2001.  The surface water samples were collected downstream of Flint's drinking water intakes, and the results were below the 70 ppt combined PFOS and PFOA EPA advisory level for drinking water.
    • October 31 - EGLE collected fish from the Flint River near Montrose to be analyzed for PFAS.

    2014 - 2015

    • Between April 2014 and October 2015, the city of Flint temporarily drew drinking water from the Flint River. The State has no information to suggest that the concentrations in the river or drinking water supply exceeded the drinking water action level.
    • August 18, 2014, to September 17, 2014 - Final results for fish collected from the Flint River near Montrose were received.  PFOS levels exceeded DHHS's screening values, indicating a fish consumption advisory was needed.  In addition, the three Flint River species sampled had higher levels of PFOS than those species collected elsewhere from the river.     
    • Spring 2015 - The Eat Safe Fish guidance was updated due to PFOS in fish.  The advisory extended from the Flint River downstream of Mott Dam.  (There was no data to indicate contamination extended further upstream.)
    • A surface water sampling plan was developed to determine contamination sources along the Flint River for implementation in 2016.  Sampling focused on the Flint River and major tributaries in the immediate vicinity of the city of Flint.

    2016

    • EGLE developed a plan for additional sampling along the Flint River, including a location on the North Branch of the Flint River and locations on the South Branch both upstream and downstream of the Lapeer Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
    • May 24 - EGLE collected fish from Holloway Reservoir to be analyzed for PFAS in 2017.
    • July 6 - EGLE collected samples from the Flint River and significant tributaries in the vicinity of

    • Flint. As part of this effort, EGLE collected samples at Carpenter Road and M-15, upstream of the city of Flint's drinking water intake.

    • July 11 - EGLE collected fish from the Mott Reservoir to be analyzed for PFAS in 2017.
    • August 24 - EGLE received the surface water results for samples collected from the Flint River watershed in July 2018.  The results showed consistent levels above the WQS of 12 ppt PFOS in the Flint River and indicated a source was upstream of Holloway Dam.  The results for the samples collected at Carpenter Road and M-15 were 14 ppt and 16 ppt, respectively, below the EPA lifetime health advisory level of 70 ppt PFOA + PFOS.
    • In November 2016, RACER Trust conducted an initial investigation of groundwater monitoring wells at the Coldwater Road Landfill due to historic operations of chrome plating at the site.  Three samples were collected; two samples were above 70 ppt PFOA+PFOS.

  • APRIL 

    • April 26 - EGLE received results for the fish collected from the Holloway and Mott reservoirs that showed elevated levels of PFAS.  The results supported the conclusion that contamination was coming from upstream of the Holloway Dam and indicated that revision of fish consumption advice should be considered due to PFAS for the entire river.  Updated advice was included in the next Eat Safe Fish guide that was released in spring 2018.     

    MAY

    • May 9 - EGLE collected surface water samples in the Flint River and effluent samples from the Lapeer, Flint, and Genesee Co-Ragnone WWTPs for PFAS analysis.

    JUNE

    • June 6 - Results of May surface water and WWTP sampling were received and showed elevated PFOS levels of 440 ppt in the Lapeer WWTP effluent.  Treated wastewater from Lapeer WWTP discharges to the South Branch of the Flint River.  The city of Lapeer implemented an Industrial Pretreatment Program because it accepts wastewater from a categorical industrial user, Lapeer Plating & Plastics (LP & P).
    • June 6 - Results of May surface water sampling also showed one sample location on Gilkey Creek had elevated results of 25 ppt PFOS.  Gilkey Creek is a tributary to the Flint River and drains parts of Genesee County, including areas from the cities of Burton and Flint.
    • June 6 - Effluent from the Flint WWTP also had elevated results of 28 ppt PFOS, leading EGLE to believe Flint WWTP likely has a significant source or sources of PFOS.
    • RACER conducted a second and more comprehensive sampling event at the Coldwater Road Landfill site to further delineate the extent of PFAS at the facility.  RACER collected 19 groundwater monitoring well samples; 11 samples were above 70 ppt PFOA+PFOS.

    JULY

    • EGLE conducted a multimedia inspection at LP & P that included a repeat sample of the Lapeer WWTP effluent, along with a sample of the LP & P discharge to the municipal sanitary system.  As the only known plater in Lapeer, LP & P was a potential source of PFOS to the sanitary system. 
      • The city of Lapeer, assisting with the investigation, took additional sanitary sewer samples of other potential PFOS sources.  Results of the EGLE samples received on August 11 indicated the PFOS level in the Lapeer WWTP effluent was five times higher (2,000 ppt) than the level measured in the May sample; the LP & P concentration was also extremely high. City samples indicated that LP & P was its primary source of PFOS.
    • In addition, EGLE collected three soil samples at LP & P due to staining and dead vegetation observed.  Samples were analyzed for volatiles and metals.  Based on the sampling results, the site is considered a "facility" under Part 201, Environmental Remediation, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.

    AUGUST

    • August 23 - Due to concern regarding the potential for PFOS contamination of biosolids generated at the Lapeer WWTP, EGLE asked the city of Lapeer to collect and analyze a sample of their biosolids.
    • August 24 - The city of Lapeer collected a sample of their biosolids as requested the previous day by EGLE.
    • August 30 - EGLE conducted a second multimedia inspection at LP & P, additional sampling included:  a third WWTP effluent sample, a second sample of the LP & P discharge, samples of selected LP & P process tanks, and a sample of the surfactant/mist suppression product used by LP & P as part of their plating process.  In addition, EGLE collected soil and water samples from outside storage areas and storm water drainage areas at LP & P.  LP & P assisted with sampling and provided Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the materials used in the process tanks that were sampled.

    SEPTEMBER

    • September 7 - EGLE issued a Compliance Communication to the Lapeer WWTP requiring the city of Lapeer to sample Lapeer WWTP effluent for PFAS monthly and provide information on the actions taken, or to be taken, to address the PFOS discharge to their sanitary sewer from LP & P and to begin planning for an alternative biosolids disposal strategy in the event that land application was not determined to be approvable.
    • September 15 - The city of Lapeer submitted a written response to the Compliance Communication.  The response included:
      • Results of the biosolids analysis were 2100 parts per billion (ppb);
      • A copy of the City's Notice of Violation to LP & P, which required correction of the PFOS discharge to Lapeer's sanitary sewer by September 26, 2017; and
      • A copy of the Administrative Order to Show Cause, which ordered LP & P to appear at a hearing with the city of Lapeer on September 27 to demonstrate why the city should not pursue additional action.
    • September 25 - EGLE verbally informed the city of Lapeer that due to the elevated level of PFOS in their biosolids, they would not be approved for land application.  There are no regulatory values for PFAS in biosolids, but EGLE's preliminary calculations indicated this level was too high.
    • September 25 - Results from the August 30 multimedia inspection indicated that the source of PFOS in LP & P's effluent was from wastewater associated with the chromic acid etch tank and chrome plating tanks.  The results were provided to the city of Lapeer and LP & P on the same day in order to assist their efforts in eliminating the source.  Results from the soil sampling were 14 and 68 ppb PFOS, and the storm water was 760 and 1,200 ppt PFOS.
    • September 29 - EGLE conducted an inspection at LP & P, with the primary goal of evaluating outside storage practices and collecting effluent composite samples the city of Lapeer had set up.  EGLE received sample results on November 1.

    OCTOBER

    • October 4 - LP & P submitted an investigation plan to identify the source and pathways of PFOS.  The city of Lapeer forwarded the plan to EGLE for review.
    • October 18 - The city of Lapeer delivered an Administrative Order to Achieve Compliance to LP & P.  Among other items, the order requires LP & P to install activated carbon treatment by October 30, 2017, should other corrective actions implemented by LP & P fail to reduce PFOS levels to 12 ppt.
    • October 26 - LP & P were able to clean out their etch tanks and associated units.  Normal operations at the facility were resumed the next day.
    • October 30 - EGLE conducted multimedia inspections at Mid-State Plating, Stokes Steel Treating, and Attentive Industries.  All three facilities are located on Kelso Street in the city of Flint and border Gilkey Creek.  Mid-State Plating is a metal plating facility.  Soil, surface water, storm water, and effluent samples were collected as part of this inspection.  Mid-State Plating cooperated with the inspection and provided SDSs of the chemicals used in their process.  During the inspection, it was learned that a fire had occurred at Stokes Steel Treating in 2006.  The city of Flint obtained a report of the incident from the fire department that indicated 50 gallons of alcohol resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) from the Flint Bishop Airport Fire Department had been requested to put out the fire.  Fluoroalkyl Surfactant was listed as an ingredient on the SDS for the foam received, indicating that the foam contained PFAS.

    NOVEMBER

    • Lapeer Plating & Plastics became an official MPART site.
    • Richfield Landfill became an official MPART site.  The site had historical contamination caused by a leachate release to groundwater, which led EGLE to sample for PFAS.  The landfill is closed and declared bankruptcy in 2013.  The State of Michigan now owns and maintains the property.  
    • The Coldwater Road Landfill & Peregrine became an official MPART site.
    • November 1 - EGLE received results from September 29, 2017, sampling event.  LP & P effluent discharged to the Lapeer WWTP was 5,700 ppt PFOS.  Lapeer WWTP effluent was 1500 ppt PFOS.
    • November 20 - EGLE received results from October surface water, storm water, and effluent sampling.  Elevated levels in Gilkey Creek were confirmed.  In addition, PFAS was detected in the storm water catch basin on Kelso Street.  Results indicated Mid-State Plating's effluent did not contain PFAS.

    DECEMBER

    • December 18 - EGLE conducted follow-up investigative inspections of facilities and surface waters within the suspected source area along Gilkey Creek.  EGLE also collected a single surface soil sample from exposed soil at the western edge of the concrete apron at the Stokes Steel Treating facility.  Additionally, EGLE collected four surface water samples at various locations along Gilkey Creek in the vicinity of Kelso Street.  Surface water results were lower than in October but still above water quality standards in Gilkey Creek within the city of Flint, east of Center Road, to the discharge point of the creek to the Flint River.
    • Based on the December 18 sample results, potential sources were identified, and EGLE began development of a plan to collect site-specific information such as groundwater samples.  Potential sources included Stokes Steel Treating, an industrial site where AFFF was used to put out a fire; AC/Rochester Delphi Plants 400 and 600, a former automotive manufacturing facility where chrome plating was conducted (including the location of their former pretreatment system and sludge/waste disposal area); and Davison Road Landfill West, a former landfill, that is suspected to have accepted automotive manufacturing waste.
    • December 19 - In order to evaluate the potential impact of PFOS-contaminated biosolids at fields used by the city of Lapeer, EGLE selected one city-owned site (that was repeatedly used) for initial screening.  EGLE staff collected three incremental (composite) surface soil samples and one grab surface water sample from a pond located on the eastern side of the field.  Sample results were received on January 22, 2018 and averaged 500 ppb PFOS in the soil and 2,000 ppt PFOS in the pond.  Based on these results, it was determined that additional information on the land application of biosolids from the Lapeer WWTP was necessary.

  • For updates on sites that became official MPART sites prior to 2018, access the following link:

    JANUARY

    • January 11 - A Type II noncommunity well supply serving Applewood Estates - Ruth Mott Foundation was sampled approximately one mile west of the suspected source area and downstream of Gilkey Creek.  Samples from the well were non-detect (ND) for PFOS.

    FEBRUARY

    • February 22 - As part of the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP)  PFAS Initiative, EGLE sent letters to the Flint WWTP, Genesee County Ragnone WWTP, and the Lapeer WWTP requiring them to evaluate potential sources of PFOS and PFOA that might be discharging to their sanitary sewers and potentially passing through pollutants to the Flint River Watershed.  Reports were due in June and October 2018, unless extensions were approved. 

    MARCH

    • March 22 - EGLE collected fish from the Flint River near Montrose to be analyzed for PFAS.

    APRIL

    • April 2018 - Groundwater sampling was completed at RACER Buick City near a suspected former firefighting training area.  Three of the eight samples had results over 70 ppt.
    • April 2018 - EGLE contracted with AECOM to perform monitoring of the field owned by the city of Lapeer that had received biosolids from the WWTP, as well as two additional privately-owned fields.  The monitoring plan included soils, adjacent surface waters, drain tiles, and groundwater.  A meeting with landowners to discuss the proposed monitoring of the two fields was held on April 11, 2018.  AECOM conducted monitoring on the fields from April 26 to May 10.  As of September 19, 2018, three out of four draft reports of the monitoring effort were finalized, with one report still under review and expected to be final by the end of October 2018 or early November 2018.
    • April 10 - RACER collected five groundwater samples from monitoring wells at the Davison Road Landfill West site, which is located adjacent to Gilkey Creek upstream of Center Road.  PFAS was detected but at levels well below the Part 201 drinking water protection criteria of 70 ppt PFOS/PFOA combined and below the Groundwater-Surface Water Interface (GSI) criteria of 12 ppt for PFOS.  A map of Gilkey Creek with the potential sources and monitoring results is provided below.
    • April 19 - EGLE's contractor TetraTech completed groundwater sampling of two groundwater monitor wells at Richfield Landfill.  PFAS was detected in both wells at concentrations of PFOA+PFOS = 41.3 ppt, and 201 ppt.

    JUNE

    • June 4 - EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began in Oakland County, including areas within the Flint River Watershed.  Sample results are available on the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative page.
    • June 8 - EGLE collected groundwater samples at a location downgradient of the former plating line at the former Delphi Plant 600.  No PFAS compounds were detected.
    • June 19 - EGLE attempted to collect groundwater samples from three potential source locations along Gilkey Creek.  The locations included the Former Delphi Sludge waste landfill, the former Delphi WWTP, and Stokes Steel Treating.  Groundwater samples were not collected at any of the locations due to conditions encountered in the field.  One pore water sample was collected from the bed of Gilkey Creek in the area of Stokes Steel Treating and was submitted to a lab for PFAS analysis.  Results of the pore water sample in the bed of the creek was 1,100 ppt PFOS and 140 ppt PFOA.
    • June 19 - The city of Flint sampled the Trichloroethylene (TCE) groundwater clean-up discharge from Delphi Plant 600 to the city's sanitary sewer.  Results were received by the City on July 19.  PFAS was detected at low levels (4.5 ppt PFOS and 15 ppt PFOA).

    JULY

    • July 27 - EGLE collected groundwater samples downgradient of a former Hazardous Waste Storage Unit and a former plating line at the former Delphi Plant 400.  The highest level of PFOS detected was 10 ppt.

    AUGUST

    • August 1 - EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began sampling in Genesee and Lapeer Counties, including areas within the Flint River Watershed.  Sample results are available on the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative page.
    • August 1 - EGLE collected fish and two surface water samples from Lake Pleasant (east of Lapeer) in the Flint River watershed for PFAS analysis. Fish were also collected from Lake Pleasant for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemical analysis.
    • August 13 - The city of Flint conducted sampling in three sanitary sewer tributary lines that flow to the East Pump Station.  Two of these had PFOS levels below 12 ppt, while the third one, which drains from Buick City, had PFOS levels of 720 ppt.
    • August 15 - EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began sampling in Shiawassee County, including areas within the Flint River Watershed.  Sample results are available on the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative page.
    • August 24 - EGLE collected sediment samples for PFAS analysis in Gilkey Creek at three locations.  Results were ND for two locations and 3.6 ppb in sediments near Stokes Steel Treating.
    • August 27 - EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began sampling in Saginaw County, including areas within the Flint River Watershed.  Sample results are available on the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative page.
    • August 31 - One public water supply within the Flint River Watershed (Genesee County) sampled during EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies returned a PFOA detection of 2 ppt.  This result did not exceed the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt PFOA + PFOS. No additional PFAS compounds were reported above detection levels for this supply.

    SEPTEMBER

    • EGLE and Lapeer WWTP had been working with LP&P for a year to reduce/control PFOS discharges to the WWTP and surface waters.  Progress towards the goal of the Lapeer WWTP meeting the WQS of 12 ppt PFOS in their discharge to the South Branch of the Flint River was being made.  LP & P implemented extensive corrective actions, including cleaning of tanks, pits, and process lines; installation of an activated carbon pretreatment system; replacement of sections of their sanitary sewer line; and eliminating exposure of industrial racks and equipment to storm water.  A graph of the effluent (treated wastewater) results from the Lapeer WWTP and LP & P (discharge to the Lapeer sanitary sewer) is provided in Figure 1 below.
    • September 4 - EGLE received the surface water results for the samples collected from Lake Pleasant.  PFOS was detected at 6.1 and 6.5 ppt and PFOA was detected at 3.6 and 3.7 ppt in these samples.
    • September 7 - Flint WWTP submitted a revised interim report under the IPP PFAS Initiative.  The report provided a detailed evaluation of eight potential sources of PFAS to its collection system.  The Flint WWTP ruled out four potential sources and confirmed one source, leachate from the Coldwater Road Landfill.  Flint WWTP ordered installation of a pretreatment system for this leachate on May 29, 2018.
    • September 17 - RACER Buick City became an official MPART site.
    • September 28 - Genesee Co-Ragnone WWTP submitted the first interim report under its approved extended schedule for the IPP PFAS Initiative.  The report provided information about its evaluation of probable sources of PFOS to the WWTP and identified Richfield Landfill and the Beecher Road Septage Receiving Station as sources of PFOS.  WWTP effluent was shown to meet WQS for PFOS and PFOA.

    OCTOBER

    • October 9 - EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began in Tuscola County, including areas within the Flint River Watershed.  Sample results are available on the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative page.
    • October 9 - One public water supply within the Flint River Watershed (Saginaw County) sampled during EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies returned a PFHxS detection of 2 ppt.  This result did not exceed the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt PFOA + PFOS.  No additional PFAS compounds were reported above detection levels for this supply.
    • October 11 - EGLE sampled three residential wells in the vicinity of Richfield Landfill for PFAS.  The wells were located just north of the Holloway Reservoir, and all three were non-detect for PFAS compounds.
    • October 18 - EGLE collected fish from the Holloway Reservoir to be analyzed for PFAS.
    • October 18 - EGLE collected a surface water sample from Flint Park Lake in the Flint River Watershed for PFAS analysis.
    • October 24 - EGLE received Lapeer WWTP's IPP PFAS Initiative Summary Report.  The report described its efforts to reduce PFOS received from an industrial user, LP & P, through an order requiring pretreatment for PFOS and monitoring.  Lapeer WWTP also conducted its own monitoring of this facility to evaluate the effectiveness of the pretreatment system.
    • October 26 - EGLE collected fish from the South Branch of the Flint River downstream of Lapeer to be analyzed for PFAS.
    • October 30 - EGLE received Flint WWTP's IPP PFAS Initiative Summary Report as revised.  Flint WWTP cited the Coldwater Road Landfill as a confirmed source of PFOS and reported that pretreatment of leachate starting on September 13, 2018, had reduced PFOS from 9,410 ppt to <10 ppt.  Pretreatment was installed by the end of August 2018 for this periodic discharge.  Other potential sources continued to be investigated.

    NOVEMBER

    • November 9 - EGLE conducted surface water and storm sewer sampling to further delineate potential sources.  Results had elevated levels of PFOS above WQS at three storm sewer outfalls in the source investigation area.  Surface water results were slightly elevated above WQS as well.  EGLE worked with the city of Flint to further evaluate the storm sewers to determine sources.
    • November 15 - EGLE received the result of the surface water sample collected from Flint Park Lake in Oct 2018.  PFOS and PFOA in this sample were detected at 8.5 and 2.6 ppt, respectively.
    • November 15 - EGLE received the results for the fish collected from Lake Pleasant east of Lapeer in the Flint River watershed.  
    • November 16 - EGLE collected six samples from groundwater monitoring wells at the landfill on the Flint Bishop International Airport's property.  The highest results were 810 ppt PFOS+PFOA, 1,236 ppt total PFAS.

  • January

    • The City of Flint Landfill at the Flint Bishop International Airport became an official MPART site.
    • The Genesee County-Ragnone WWTP submitted its second interim report under the IPP PFAS Initiative.  The Genesee County-Ragnone WWTP identified three additional landfills as sources of PFOS to the sanitary sewer.  WWTP effluent continued to meet WQS for PFOS and PFOA.

    March

    • March 8 - EGLE and MDHHS presented at a Town Hall event held by Representatives John Cherry, Sheldon Neely, Sheryl Kennedy, and Tim Sneller at Mott Community College in Flint.

    April

    • April 4 - EGLE received results for the fish that were collected from the Flint River near Montrose.  
    • April 26 - Following a complaint received for CARite at 205 Dort Highway in Flint, adjacent to Gilkey Creek, EGLE staff conducted PFAS sampling.  A floor drain inside the building had PFOS levels of 2,800 ppt and an outfall to Gilkey Creek that was receiving pumped wastewater from CARite had PFOS levels of 1,600 ppt.  The City of Flint required CARite to cease the illegal pumping and to reroute the internal floor drain to the sanitary sewer rather than the storm sewer.

    May

    • May 9 - EGLE received results for fish collected from the South Branch of the Flint River downstream of Lapeer.
    • May 10 - EGLE requested that Peoples Landfill, located at 4143 East Rathbun Road in Taymouth Township, sample select groundwater monitoring wells and surface water for PFAS as part of a statewide landfill sampling initiative.  Peoples Landfill is licensed to receive solid waste and has areas that are lined and others that are closed and unlined.  The unlined portion was originally licensed under the Michigan Compiled Laws Act 87 of 1965 Repealed-garbage And Refuse Disposal (325.291 - 325.300).
    • Monitoring wells downgradient of the unlined area currently or previously exceeded state criteria for one of the following:  ammonia, chloride, iron, manganese, sodium, and sulfate.  In late 2008, EGLE approved a Remedial Action Plan to address groundwater contamination from the unlined area.  Peoples Landfill constructed a slurry wall along the southern edge of the landfill to limit the migration of contaminated groundwater off-site.
    • May 13 - EGLE received results for fish collected from Flint Park Lake in the Flint River watershed.  
    • May 13 - Phase II of EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies began, including sampling of areas within the Flint River Watershed.  Sample results are available on the MPART Statewide Drinking Water PFAS Testing Initiative.
    • May 29 - EGLE collected fish from the Kearsley Reservoir of Kearsley Creek for PFAS analysis.
    • May 30 - Genesee County-Ragnone WWTP submitted a summary report under the IPP PFAS Initiative.  A total of four sources of PFOS to the WWTP were identified.  WWTP effluent results continue to meet WQS for PFOS and PFOA.

    July

    • RACER conducted storm sewer sampling and investigation at the Coldwater Road Landfill site to determine source of PFAS in storm sewers.

    August

    • August 8 - One public water supply within the Flint River Watershed (Oakland County) sampled during EGLE's statewide PFAS survey of public water supplies returned a PFHxA detection of 4 ppt.  This result did not exceed the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt PFOA + PFOS.  No additional PFAS compounds were reported above detection levels for this supply.
    • August 2019 - a total of four surface water and seven groundwater samples were collected from the Lockhart Chemical site.  The highest concentration of PFOS was identified at 28 ppt, while the highest PFOA concentration was identified at 30 ppt.  The highest total PFAS result was 84.7 ppt.

    September

    • September 6 - EGLE collected fish from the Holloway Reservoir for PFAS analysis.

    October

    • October 29 - EGLE received results for fish collected from the Kearsley Reservoir of Kearsley Creek.  

    November

    • November 12 - Venice Park Recycling Disposal Facility completed PFAS sampling of four groundwater monitor wells.  Three were either non-detect or below criteria for PFAS compounds, and one exceeded the PFOA criterion with a PFOA concentration of 17 ppt.
    • November 13 - Peoples Landfill completed PFAS sampling of three groundwater monitoring wells downgradient of a closed, unlined cell.  A surface water sample was taken from the Silver Creek, also downgradient of the closed cell.  The groundwater monitoring wells each had detections of PFOA at 12 ppt.  The surface water sample collected was below criteria.  Results were received on February 14, 2020.
    • November 15 - EGLE's contractor TetraTech completed sampling of seven groundwater monitoring wells at Richfield landfill.  PFOA+PFOS concentrations ranged between 134 ppt and non-detect.

    December

    • December 11, 2019 - The Flint WWTP submitted a status report under the IPP PFAS Initiative and reported collection system PFAS monitoring, which verified that most PFOS coming into the WWTP was from the area where the two known sources are located.  Flint WWTP reported that the RACER Trust Coldwater Road Landfill continued to pretreat its leachate for PFAS and the RACER Trust Buick City site was investigating sources of PFAS impacting groundwater that was infiltrating into sanitary sewers.
    • December 17, 2019 - Genesee Co-Ragnone WWTP submitted a status report summarizing its work under the IPP PFAS Initiative.  Landfill leachate received from several landfills was found to be the source of PFOS, and the WWTP reported developing industrial user permit language to require leachate monitoring for PFAS.  WWTP discharges were below WQS for PFAS.
    • December 30, 2019 - The Lapeer WWTP continued PFOS source reduction efforts under the IPP PFAS Initiative, resulting in significant reductions in PFOS discharged in WWTP effluent, as shown in Figure 2.  The City of Lapeer extended administrative orders to require industry to conduct ongoing pretreatment and monitoring of PFAS.  The City has begun the process of properly disposing of contaminated sludge from the wastewater treatment process and cleaning the WWTP.

  • JANUARY

    • January 29 - While testing a fire truck's water spraying devices at Bishop International Airport, an equipment failure led to the AFFF equipment being activated, causing AFFF to enter the storm sewer system and discharge to Swartz Creek.  Initial results found storm water contaminated with 960 ppt of PFOS entering the Creek.  Inflatable plugs were installed in the storm sewer system to prevent further PFAS from being discharged to the Creek.  The storm sewer system was then cleaned and the plugs removed.  Continued sampling is being conducted and remediation plans may be developed depending on those results.

    APRIL

    • During the week of April 6 - A subset of 18 monitoring wells was sampled for PFAS at the Metamora Landfill site in Metamora Township, Michigan.  This was the first sampling event for PFAS conducted at the site.
    • RACER completed another phase of investigation at the Coldwater Road Landfill site including storm and sanitary sewer sampling, and offsite groundwater sampling.

    MAY

    • May 19 - EGLE received results for the Metamora Landfill Superfund site.
      • A total of nine monitoring wells were sampled in the shallow aquifer.  Results for PFOS ranged from ND - 12 ppt and PFOA ranged from ND - 13 ppt.  The highest PFOS/PFOA concentration was at MW36-98 (center of landfill).  This location had a combined PFOS + PFOA concentration of 25 ppt.
      • A total of seven monitoring wells were sampled in the intermediate aquifer.  Results for PFOS ranged from ND - 0.81J ppt and PFOA ranged from ND - 5.8 ppt.  The highest PFOS/PFOA concentration was at MW23I-98 (north of landfill).  This location had a combined PFOS + PFOA concentration of 5.8 ppt.
      • A total of two monitoring wells were sampled in the bedrock aquifer and results were ND for PFOS and PFOA.
    • May 23 - EGLE received results for the fish collected from the Holloway Reservoir.  

    JULY

    • July 12 - EGLE collected fish from the Holloway Reservoir for PFAS analysis.  Results won't be available until 2021.
    • July 2020 - A total of nine groundwater samples were collected from monitor wells at the RACER Hemphill Road Industrial Land site.  The highest concentration of PFOS was identified at 54 ppt, while the highest PFOA concentration was identified at 19 ppt.  The highest total PFAS result was 86.2 ppt.
    • The Flint Bishop Airport Authority was awarded MPART grant funding to support monitoring and testing of PFAS contamination.  The grant will be used to investigate areas of known historical AFFF use at the airport to evaluate potential impacts to the environment.

    AUGUST

    • August 3 - the Metamora Landfill Superfund site became an official MPART site.
    • August 3 - Peoples Landfill site became an official MPART site.
    • August 3 - Venice Park Recycling and Disposal Facility became an official MPART site.
    • August 19 - EGLE collected fish from the south branch of the Flint River downstream of Lapeer for PFAS analysis.  Results will be available in 2021.
    • August 20 - EGLE developed a surface water study using passive samplers (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers) to monitor PFAS trends in the Flint River.  This study will be completed in 2021.

    SEPTEMBER

    • September 3 - RACER Flint West and Lockhart Chemical Company became an official MPART sites. 
    • The Hemphill Road Industrial Land - RACER site became an official MPART site.
    • September 30 - Four downgradient residential wells were sampled for PFAS compounds at the Metamora Landfill Superfund site.  Preliminary results received by EGLE present concentrations of PFAS below applicable criteria.  The current plan is to hold a virtual town hall sometime in the Spring of 2021 to discuss PFAS results along with other site issues.

    OCTOBER

    • October 21 - EGLE developed a surface water sampling plan to collect additional grab samples throughout the watershed.  This study will be conducted in tandem with the Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) study in 2021.  The POCIS study uses passive samplers to help identify intermittent sources of PFAS and provide data for future watershed trend monitoring.
    • October 22 - EGLE mailed information packets on PFAS and Peoples Landfill and consent forms for residential PFAS sampling to residents with homes downgradient of the area where PFAS were detected above criteria at this site.

    DECEMBER

    • December 23, 2020 - Genesee Co-Ragnone WWTP reported to EGLE on its work for the IPP PFAS Initiative to reduce sources of PFOS to the WWTP.  New sources found include infiltration to the sanitary sewer from the RACER-Coldwater Road Landfill MPART site and a plastics recycling facility.  RACER completed repairs to the sanitary sewers at the Coldwater Road Landfill site to prevent the discharge of PFAS.  Discharges of airport de-icing fluid will also be sampled over the winter.  WWTP discharges have remained below WQS.
    • December 24, 2020 - Flint WWTP reported to EGLE on its continued efforts under the IPP PFAS Initiative to reduce sources of PFOS to its collection system.  The RACER Trust Coldwater Road Landfill continues to pretreat leachate prior to discharge to the WWTP and is working to eliminate contaminated groundwater infiltration into nearby sanitary sewers.  The Flint WWTP reported that the RACER Buick City site had abandoned and bulkheaded unused sewer lines to reduce contaminated groundwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer collection system, but more work needs to be conducted to successfully complete this effort.
    • December 28, 2020 - Lapeer WWTP submitted a status report for the IPP PFAS Initiative and reported that it continues to minimize PFOS discharged to its collection system and clean residual PFOS from its treatment system.  The WWTP has been fully cleaned and 90% of the contaminated sludge removed.  Concentrations of PFOS discharged to the South Branch of the Flint River remain low.

  • FEBRUARY 

    • February 5, 2021 - At EGLE's request, the City of Flint agreed to sample four groundwater monitor wells for PFAS compounds at the Bray Road dump, located at 5200 Bray Road, in Flint.  The sampling is estimated to take place in March/April 2021.

    JUNE

    • June of 2021 - POCIS passive samplers were deployed for 28 days to monitor PFAS trends within the Flint River Watershed.

     

  • FEBRUARY

    • February 1, 2022 – EGLE collected fish from Rood Lake in Lapeer County to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.

    AUGUST

    • August 2, 2022 – EGLE collected fish from the Holloway Reservoir of the Flint River to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.
    • August 16, 2022 – EGLE collected fish from the Mott Reservoir of the Flint River to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumlative chemicals.
    • August 29, 2022 – EGLE collected fish from the south branch of the Flint River downstream of Lapeer to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.
     

  • FEBRUARY

    • EGLE collected fish from Buell Lake in Genesee County to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.

    JUNE

    • June 16, 2023 – EGLE collected fish from the Montrose area of the Flint River to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.
    • June 16, 2023 – EGLE collected fish from Thread Lake to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumlative chemicals.
    • June 16, 2023 – EGLE attended the Genesee County Youth Fish Camp at Buell Lake and performed a fillet demonstration.
    SEPTEMBER
    • September 1, 2023 – EGLE collected fish from Gilkey Creek at Kearsley Park to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.
    • September 1, 2023 – EGLE collected additional fish from Thread Creek upstream of Thread Lake to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.

  • MARCH

    • March 6, 2024 – EGLE collected fish from the Buick City area of the Flint River to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.

    JUNE

    • June 11, 2024 – EGLE collected fish from the Holloway Reservoir of the Flint River to be analyzed for PFAS and other bioaccumulative chemicals.
    • June 27, 2024 – Samples were collected from the Flint River to determine the extent of surface water PFAS contamination near the RACER Buick City MPART Site. Samples were collected in response to elevated concentrations of PFOS, up to 79,000 ppt, in outfalls associated with RACER Buick City. Sampling results are summarized in the report linked below.