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Huron River Watershed

Huron River Watershed

The Huron River drains portions of seven counties in Southeast Michigan.  The Huron River Watershed is more than 900 square miles and consists of hundreds of tributary creeks, lakes, and the Huron River proper.  The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) began sampling intensively on the Huron River due to the city of Ann Arbor detecting Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Huron River, which is the main source of the city of Ann Arbor’s drinking water, and the discovery of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in the river at levels over the Rule 57 Water Quality Value (WQS) of 11 parts per trillion (ppt) PFOS.  The following is a timeline of PFAS investigation activities in the Huron River Watershed.

These investigations have also led to fish consumption advisories to protect the public, which are available on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Michigan Eat Safe Fish page and the MPART Fish and Wildlife page.  One of the most commonly detected substances in fish tissue is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), in part because it bioaccumulates, or builds up, in the food web. 

Reports

Next Steps

  • EGLE contractor Great Lakes Environmental Center (GLEC) will be collecting sediments this fall as part of a statewide PFAS sediment assessment. Sediment will be collected from Norton Creek and the Huron River. Sediment samples from these two water bodies will be used to determine if PFAS within sediment is toxic to sediment-dwelling insects and whether it accumulates in their tissue. In addition, fish, sediment, and macroinvertebrates will be collected from Kent Lake and Proud Lake to evaluate sediments as a potential source of PFAS to aquatic food webs.
  • EGLE will evaluate known sources of environmental contamination, closed landfills, hazardous waste facilities, and facilities that discharge wastewater to the Huron River.
  • EGLE will continue to sample fish from selected waterbodies in the Huron River watershed and provide results to the MDHHS as available.
  • EGLE will continue to work with the city of Wixom and Tribar to control/reduce discharges to the WWTP with the goal of meeting the Rule 57 water quality values in Norton Creek under the IPP PFAS Initiative.
  • EGLE will conduct precautionary residential well sampling for homes surrounding the two land application sites that received biosolids from the Wixom WWTP. Sampling is currently planned for Fall 2021.
  • The City of Ann Arbor, City of Brighton, Village of Dexter, and City of Wixom will continue to investigate sources of PFOS and require reduction and elimination of PFOS sources under the IPP PFAS Initiative.

  • Fish sampling information

    As of February 2026, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program has collected the following fish samples for edible portion monitoring from the Huron River or nearby water bodies. The fillets have been or will be analyzed for PFAS and other contaminants. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is evaluating the results for the "Eat Safe Fish" consumption advisories which are based on concentrations of mercury, PFOS, and other contaminants. Anglers should refer to the advice posted on the MPART PFAS in Fish webpage and the Michigan Eat Safe Fish webpage.

    ND indicates that PFOS was not detected (<0.25 ppb) in the sample.

     

    Water Body Location Latitude Longitude Species Collection Year PFOS (ppb) Range
    Huron River Pontiac Lake 42.6692 -83.461 Largemouth Bass 2022 5.3 - 13.6
    Huron River Pontiac Lake 42.6692 -83.461 Bluegill 2022 8.3 - 43.9
    Huron River Proud Lake 42.56839 -83.52087 Bluegill 2019 2.7 – 21.8
    Huron River Proud Lake 42.56839 -83.52087 Pumpkinseed 2021 10.1 – 46.7
    Huron River Proud Lake 42.56839 -83.52087 Rock Bass 2019 0.7 – 19.2
    Huron River Proud Lake 42.56839 -83.52087 Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass 2019 2.6 – 307.0
    Huron River Proud Lake 42.56839 -83.52087 Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass 2021 4.6 – 59.2
    Huron River Hubbell Pond 42.58614 -83.6141 Largemouth Bass 2018516.0 – 1,408
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Black Crappie 2017 870 – 1,378
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Black Crappie 2025 Pending
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Pumpkinseed 2019 18.6 – 184.0
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2020 32.0 – 114.0
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Pumpkinseed 2021 17.6 – 73.4
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2022 16.3 - 69.3
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2023 5.4 - 44.5
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2024 4.4 - 23.1
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2025 Pending
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Rock Bass 2021 80.3 - 387.0
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Rock Bass 2023 17.2 - 46.4
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Rock Bass 2024 9.4 - 76.8
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2017 1,016 – 1,998
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2019 167.0 – 441.0
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2020 301.0 – 500.0
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2021 73.7 – 444.6
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2022 47.5 - 225.6
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2023 60.4 - 196.1
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2024 8.0 - 75.0
    Huron River Kent Lake 42.52957 -83.64402 Largemouth Bass 2025 Pending
    Huron River Strawberry Lake 42.44362 -83.84011 Bluegill 2022 10.5 - 18.9
    Huron River Strawberry Lake 42.44362 -83.84011 Largemouth Bass 2022 30.5 - 74.7
    Huron River Loon Lake 42.43650 -83.86210 Bluegill 2025 Pending
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Bluegill 2018 56.3 – 162.4
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Bluegill 2020 14.1 – 66.3
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2022 4.1 - 18.4
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Rock Bass 2020 ND – 76.7
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Rock Bass 2022 5.2 - 24.8
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Largemouth Bass 2018 73.2 – 366.3
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Largemouth Bass 2020 45.7 – 187.0
    Huron River Base Line Lake 42.42779 -83.89471 Largemouth Bass 2022 14.1 - 47.9
    Huron River Barton Pond 42.31332 -83.78766 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2018 8.7 – 19.9
    Huron River Barton Pond 42.31332 -83.78766 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2022 3.9 - 10.0
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Rock Bass 2015 102.3 – 487.5
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Rock Bass 2018 13.5 – 60.9
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Rock Bass 2020 ND – 25.2
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Bluegill 2018 ND – 23.6
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Bluegill 2020 10.1 – 51.7
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass 2018 20.6 – 64.7
    Huron River Argo Pond 42.29262 -83.74523 Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass 2020 27.7 – 64.2
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass 2020 12.8 – 92.6
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Smallmouth Bass 2021 20.6 – 108.0
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2020 11.0 – 75.5
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Bluegill 2021 28.2 – 64.6
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Rock Bass 2020 22.6 – 53.3
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Rock Bass 2021 22.2 – 105.0
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Walleye 2021 18.7 – 41.4
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Walleye 2023 14.6 - 43.2
    Huron River Ford Lake 42.21696 -83.58466 Carp 2023 8.5 - 22.8
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Bluegill 2018 2.2 – 41.3
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Bluegill 2021 18.6 – 35.3
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Rock Bass 2021 63.1 – 164
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Rock Bass 2022 3.9 - 11.9
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Smallmouth Bass 2018 27.5 – 89.0
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Smallmouth Bass 2021 16.7 – 66.8
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Walleye 2021 21.1 – 40.5
    Huron River Belleville Lake 42.21447 -83.47022 Walleye 2022 19.9 - 58.6
    Huron River Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Channel Catfish 2017 2.0 – 22.2
    Huron River Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Black Crappie 2018 ND – 27.6
    Huron River Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Largemouth Bass 2018 9.6 – 26.7
    Huron River Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Largemouth Bass 2020 7.5 – 22.8
    Huron River Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Bluegill 2018 7.7 – 24.7
    Huron River Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2020 ND – 25.7
    Huron River Rockwood 42.06865 -83.25482 Largemouth Bass 2021 16.1 – 55.5
    Huron River Rockwood 42.06865 -83.25482 Bluegill 2021 8.5 – 43.3
    Huron River Rockwood 42.06865 -83.25482 Carp 2021 4.6 – 12.5
    Huron River Pointe Mouillee 42.04257 -83.21407 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2025 Pending
    Huron River Pointe Mouillee 42.04257 -83.21407 Rock Bass 2025 Pending
    Huron River Pointe Mouillee 42.04257 -83.21407 Largemouth Bass 2025 Pending
    Lake Erie Huron River, Flat Rock 42.10459 -83.30521 Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) 2019 1.7 – 4.8
    Pettibone Creek Milford Pond 42.59023 -83.60261 Bluegill 2018 ND – 4.8
    Wolverine Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.55447 -83.49057 Bluegill 2024 1.3 - 5.4
    Wolverine Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.55447 -83.49057 Black Crappie 2024 5.9 - 12.7
    Wolverine Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.55447 -83.49057 Largemouth Bass 2024 3.1 - 13.6
    Middle Straits Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.58027 -83.43124 Bluegill 2025 Pending
    Middle Straits Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.58027 -83.43124 Largemouth Bass 2025 Pending
    Lower Straits Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.58255 -83.45974 Bluegill 2025 Pending
    Lower Straits Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.58255 -83.45974 Yellow Perch 2025 Pending
    Lower Straits Lake Commerce Charter Township 42.58255 -83.45974 Largemouth Bass 2025 Pending
    Loon Lake N of Wixom 42.54811 -83.52908 Bluegill 2022 62.7 - 188.6
    Bruin Lake Pinckney Rec Area 42.41948 -84.03837 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2021 4.8 – 30.3
    Portage River Little Portage Lake 42.41482 -83.93067 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2024 ND - 1.2
    Portage River Little Portage Lake 42.41482 -83.93067 Black Crappie 2024 2.0 - 4.3
    Portage River Little Portage Lake 42.41482 -83.93067 Largemouth Bass 2024 1.4 - 4.1
    Portage River Big Portage Lake 42.42177 -83.91758 Bluegill 2018 5.0 - 138.0
    Portage River Big Portage Lake 42.42177 -83.91758 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2022 0.4 - 6.9
    Portage River Big Portage Lake 42.42177 -83.91758 Bluegill 2025 Pending
    Portage River Big Portage Lake 42.42177 -83.91758 Rock Bass 2022 0.8 - 3.4
    Portage River Big Portage Lake 42.42177 -83.91758 Largemouth Bass 2018 6.6 - 173.8
    Portage River Big Portage Lake 42.42177 -83.91758 Largemouth Bass 2022 2.2 - 13.5
    Mann Creek Moraine Lake 42.55914 -83.7171 Black Crappie 2018 2.9 – 9.7
    Mann Creek Moraine Lake 42.55914 -83.7171 Bluegill 2018 ND – 14.8
    Mann Creek Moraine Lake 42.55914 -83.7171 Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass 2018 4.1 – 10.8
    Davis Creek Sandy Bottom Lake 42.45203 -83.71462 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2019 1.4 – 16.9
    Davis Creek Sandy Bottom Lake 42.45203 -83.71462 Largemouth Bass 2019 ND – 75.4
    Davis Creek Fish Lake 42.45534 -83.72316 Bluegill 2021 1.3 – 4.9
    South Ore Creek Woodland Lake 42.55445 -83.78155 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2019 1.1 – 5.6
    South Ore Creek Woodland Lake 42.55445 -83.78155 Largemouth Bass 2019 3.5 – 18.5
    South Ore Creek Brighton Mill Pond 42.53218 -83.7839 Black Bullhead 2023 ND
    South Ore Creek Brighton Mill Pond 42.53218 -83.7839 Black Crappie 2023 8.7 - 16.7
    South Ore Creek Brighton Mill Pond 42.53218 -83.7839 Bluegill 2023 2.1 - 6.6
    South Ore Creek Ore Lake 42.80951 -83.79536 Bluegill 2019 4.9 – 20.0
    South Ore Creek Ore Lake 42.80951 -83.79536 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2023 4.8 - 20.9
    South Ore Creek Ore Lake 42.80951 -83.79536 Largemouth Bass 2023 14.8 - 25.3
    Little Ore Lake Little Ore Lake 42.47489 -83.79749 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2023 4.2 - 10.0
    Little Ore Lake Little Ore Lake 42.47489 -83.79749 Largemouth Bass 2023 13.2 - 51.9
    Horseshoe Creek Horseshoe Lake 42.40056 -83.75714 Bluegill 2024 2.5 - 7.9
    Horseshoe Creek Horseshoe Lake 42.40056 -83.75714 Black Crappie 2024 2.1 - 5.3
    Horseshoe Creek Horseshoe Lake 42.40056 -83.75714 Largemouth Bass 2024 3.5 - 7.2
    Whitmore Lake Livingston County 42.4287 -83.75379 Bluegill/Pumpkinseed 2019 2.0 – 4.6
    Hay Creek Bass Lake 42.45425 -83.86102 Bluegill 2019 1.7 – 9.3
    Hay Creek Bass Lake 42.45425 -83.86102 Largemouth Bass 2019 ND – 14.4
    Silver Lake w. of Portage Lake 42.42113 -83.96666 Bluegill 2020 ND
    Spring Mill Pond Island Lake Rec Area 42.48939 -83.72425 Bluegill 2024 0.9 - 1.7
    Trout Lake Island Lake Rec Area 42.50506 -83.68470 Bluegill 2026 Pending
    Regan Drain Washago Pond 42.1304 -83.3729 Pumpkinseed 2020 ND – 110.0
    Joslin Lake s.e. of Stockbridge 42.41876 -84.07050 Bluegill 2019 1.0 – 13.0
    Joslin Lake s.e. of Stockbridge 42.41876 -84.07050 Largemouth Bass 2019 1.4 – 27.7
    Long Lake w. of Pontiac 42.61073 -83.45627 Bluegill 2019 1.6 – 7.8
    Long Lake w. of Pontiac 42.61073 -83.45627 Largemouth Bass 2019 ND – 9.9
    Tamarack Lake Hamburg Township 42.43293 -83.88675 Bluegill 2024 6.0 - 21
    Tamarack Lake Hamburg Township 42.43293 -83.88675 Largemouth Bass 2024 22.9 - 35.8

Investigation Timeline

  • City of Ann Arbor: 2014 - present

    2014

    • March 5, 2014 – The city of Ann Arbor sampled for PFAS compounds in drinking water, as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under Round 3 of the Unregulated Containment Monitoring Rule (UCMR3). PFOS was detected in the drinking water sample (main reservoir – treated water) at 43 parts per trillion (ppt). Review the city of Ann Arbor’s 2014 Water Quality Report.

    2016

    • October 2016 - The city of Ann Arbor began collecting monthly PFAS samples from the raw river source and finished water.  The results are provided to EGLE monthly. To date, all the results obtained are below the USEPA Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt, either individually or combined with the exception of a finished water result of 88.1 ppt in October 2018.
    • March and July 2016 – The city of Ann Arbor conducted water sampling for PFAS; they tested raw water sources as well as finished water.  All but one of these upstream locations had detectable levels of PFAS and no obvious source was able to be pinpointed.  The sample locations were:
      • Main water reservoir (treated water) and the raw river intake (untreated water).
      • Two raw water production wells (untreated groundwater).
      • Surface water within the Huron River, Barton Pond, and Honey Creek (upstream of the intake; untreated surface water). See map of surface water results below.

    City of Ann Arbor Surface Water Samples PFOS Results (ng/L)

    2017

    • In late 2017, the city of Ann Arbor began a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter pilot study for treating its water supply. The sand in two of the city of Ann Arbor’s 26 active filters was replaced with a full bed depth of GAC to evaluate whether the increased depth of GAC will improve the filters’ ability to remove contaminants. With favorable results from the pilot study, the sand in the remaining 24 filters was replaced with full GAC in the Spring of 2019.  The GAC is replaced on a rotating basis every 5 years.

    2018

    • Mid-July 2018 – The city of Ann Arbor’s municipal water supply was tested as part of the EGLE’s statewide initiative to test all public water supplies and schools with their own wells. Both the finished water and the intake for the supply were sampled. The results were available mid-August and finished water results were 4 ppt PFOS + PFOA; intake results were 11 ppt PFOS + PFOA.  Additional results are available on the public water supply statewide sampling initiative page. 

    2019

    • In 2019, EGLE continued monthly sampling of the city of Ann Arbor’s water supply as part of the statewide initiative with all results below 10 ppt combined PFOS+PFOA.

    2020

    • In 2020, EGLE will perform quarterly monitoring of the City of Ann Arbor’s water supply as part of the statewide initiative. Due to COVID-19 access restrictions, the first quarter sample could not be collected. The City of Ann Arbor, in collaboration with Dr. Detlef Knappe’s research group at North Carolina State University, are conducting pilot tests on both granular activated carbon and ion exchange for PFAS removal. The research is funded primary through a grant from the Water Research Foundation. The City is studying how media type, empty bed contact time, operating conditions, and other variables impact PFAS removal and breakthrough over time. The results of this research will be used to optimize the City’s current PFAS management strategy and to guide future investments needed for long-term PFAS management.

  • 2018

    February 

    • February 22 - As part of the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP)  PFAS Initiative, EGLE's Water Resources Division (WRD) sent letters to the City of Ann Arbor, the City of Brighton, the Village of Dexter, and the City of Wixom requiring them to evaluate potential sources of PFOS and PFOA that may be discharging to their sanitary sewers and potentially passing through pollutants to the Huron River Watershed.  Reports were due in June and October 2018.

    May

    • May 8 - Due to the elevated levels of PFOS detected by the city of Ann Arbor in the Huron River, EGLE collected fish from Baseline and Portage Lakes for PFAS analysis. EGLE also sent stored Kent Lake fish samples (that had been collected in 2017 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) as part of routine fish contaminant monitoring) to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) lab for PFAS analysis.
    • May 8 - EGLE collected groundwater samples from four monitoring wells at the former Daimler Chrysler Scio Facility located at 2880 Zeeb Road, Dexter, Michigan.  Historical operations at the facility were primarily automobile parts manufacturing, and at one time, the facility housed a small plating line and treated plating wastes, which may have contained PFAS.  This facility is located on the Huron River upstream of the city of Ann Arbor's intake.  Preliminary results: PFAS was detected in all samples.  No samples exceeded EGLE's cleanup criteria for groundwater used as drinking water of 70 ppt for PFOS and PFOA, individually or combined.   

    June

    • June 4 - EGLE's statewide initiative to test all community water supplies and schools with their own wells began in Oakland County, including areas within the Huron River Watershed. Sample results are available on the public water supply statewide sampling survey page.
    • Of the results received, five supplies within the Huron River Watershed returned values above non-detect (ND).
      • Glengary Elementary - Total tested PFAS was 77 ppt and PFOA + PFOS was 20 ppt.
      • Heritage Apartments - Total tested PFAS was 36 ppt and PFOA + PFOS was ND.
      • In the remaining three of these cases, results were <10 ppt for total tested PFAS and ND for PFOA + PFOS.
    • June 27 - The Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) conducted sampling as part of the IPP PFAS Initiative.  The city of Wixom WWTP discharges to Norton Creek, which is a tributary to the Huron River five miles upstream of Kent Lake and east of the village of Milford.  Results indicated effluent concentration of 290 ppt PFOS.  The Wixom WWTP began an investigation into the potential source of contamination in their waste stream, and results are summarized below.
      • May 15 - The city of Wixom identified a chrome plating facility, Tribar Manufacturing LLC (Tribar), Plant 4, which has been in operation since approximately 2000, as the source of high levels of PFOS (28,000 ppt) to the city of Wixom's sanitary sewer system.
      • May 15 - The city of Wixom also tested Tribar, Plant 5, which began production in 2017 and also does chrome plating. The wastewater discharge from Plant 5 was less than 20 ppt PFOS to the city of Wixom's sanitary sewer system and determined to not be a significant source.
      • June 14 - A third potential source was sampled and determined to have 2.2 ppt of PFOS in their discharge.  The city of Wixom has not identified any other industrial users as contributing significant levels of PFAS to their system.

    July

    • July 16 - EGLE's statewide initiative to test all community water supplies and schools with their own wells began in Washtenaw County, including areas within the Huron River Watershed. Sample results are available on the public water supply statewide sampling survey page. Of the results received and in addition to the city of Ann Arbor municipal supply (mentioned above), Emerson Elementary School - returned a value of 14 ppt for total tested PFAS (PFOA + PFOS was ND).
    • July 17 - EGLE and MDHHS provided an overview via a webinar to local units of governments in the Huron River Watershed regarding PFAS and planned fish and surface water sampling. 
    • July 18 - EGLE's statewide initiative to test all community water supplies and schools with their own wells began in Livingston County, including areas within the Huron River Watershed. Sample results are available on the public water supply statewide sampling survey page. Of the results received, five supplies within the Huron River Watershed returned values above ND. In all five of these cases, these results were <10 ppt for total tested PFAS, and in only one case (results not yet public) did a supply return a non-detect value for PFOA + PFOS.
    • July 24 - To determine the extent of elevated levels of PFOS in the Huron River, EGLE sampled 17 locations along the Huron River main stem and from select tributaries near where they meet with the Huron River including: Norton Creek, Mill Creek, Honey Creek, and Willow Run Creek.

    Huron River Surface Water Results July 24, 2018

    August

    • August 3 - EGLE received the results from the Kent Lake fish samples sent to the MDHHS lab on May 8, 2018. PFOS levels in the fish were elevated.  
    • August 4 - The MDHHS issued a "Do Not Eat" fish advisory to cover the Huron River in Livingston, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties. This covered:
      • Hubbell Pond (Mill Pond) and Kent Lake in Oakland County.
      • Ore Lake, Strawberry Lake, Zukey Lake, Gallagher Lake, Loon Lake, and Whitewood Lake in Livingston County.
      • Baseline and Portage Lakes near the Livingston/Washtenaw County line.
    • August 6 - EGLE sent a compliance letter to the Wixom WWTP Operator in Charge requiring the WWTP to work to reduce PFOS discharged to Norton Creek and from accumulating in biosolids. The letter also required the WWTP to sample for PFAS monthly, to monitor at confirmed sources sufficient to characterize their contribution to the waste stream coming into the WWTP, and to sample its biosolids.
    • August 9 - EGLE staff visited the Wixom Fire Training Center as a potential source of PFAS to the Huron River Watershed. Wixom Fire Department staff indicated that PFAS containing foams have not been used on the site.
    • August 14 - EGLE sampled permitted wastewater discharges in the vicinity of Kent Lake for PFAS. The locations sampled included the Milford WWTP, South Lyon WWTP, GM Proving Grounds, and the Seamless Tube groundwater cleanup site.
    • August 23 - EGLE received results from the July 24 sampling of the Huron River and its tributaries. Norton Creek was identified as a significant source of PFOS to the Huron River. A summary and map of sampling results are provided below.
      • Elevated levels of PFOS (5,500 ppt) in Norton Creek.
      • Gradual decrease of PFOS levels as you travel downstream.
      • Elevated levels of PFOS (26 ppt PFOS) in Willow Run Creek, a tributary to the Huron River in Wayne County. EGLE staff are working to evaluate potential sources of PFAS to Willow Run Creek.
    • August 24 - The MDHHS expanded the original "Do Not Eat" fish advisory to include the Huron River at North Wixom Road and Norton Creek in Oakland County.
    • August 28 - EGLE's Huron River Work Group met to coordinate efforts across EGLE divisions and EGLE's Executive Office.
    • August 29 - EGLE received results for fish samples collected on May 8, 2018, from Baseline Lake and Argo Pond collected in 2015.
      • The 2015 Argo Pond fish were from routine fish contaminant monitoring (samples were not analyzed for PFAS at that time because the EGLE's Water Resources Division had no information to indicate a concern with PFAS in this watershed).    
    • August 29 - The city of Wixom began monthly follow-up sampling of the city of Wixom's effluent discharge from the WWTP in accordance with the IPP PFAS Initiative requirements. Samples of biosolids generated at the WWTP were also collected.  The city of Wixom is currently landfilling their biosolids. The city of Wixom is working with Tribar to reduce the level of PFAS being discharged to their sanitary sewer.
    • August 29 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 4800 ppt for PFOS.
    • August 29 and 30 - To identify whether there are other significant sources of PFAS contributing to the elevated PFOS levels in Norton Creek, EGLE staff collected in-stream surface water samples of the Huron River upstream of Kent Lake and at various locations within Norton Creek and other tributaries. Potential sources were identified, and sampling was conducted to bracket these sources, including:
      • The Ford Wixom Plant, a former automotive manufacturing facility where fire training with aqueous film forming foam was conducted.
      • Kelsey Hayes, a former wheel production facility in Milford.
      • A fire training facility used by the city of Wixom.
      • Storm water discharges from Tribar, Plant 4
      • The discharge from a state-funded groundwater cleanup facility (Coe's Cleaners).
      • Other areas with significant industrial operations.
      • Sample results were received on September 27.
    • August 30 - EGLE received results for channel catfish, collected in 2017, from the Flat Rock Impoundment of the Huron River.  
    • August 31 - The MDHHS extended the "Do Not Eat" Advisory to Lake Erie based on the Baseline Lake and Argo Pond fish results from August 29, 2018.
    • August 31 - EGLE met with Republic Services to discuss and finalize a groundwater sampling plan for a closed landfill in Lyon Township, which is near Kent Lake, as well as to develop a schedule for collecting samples.
    • August 31 - The Daimler Chrysler Scio facility in Scio Township was sampled as a follow-up to the initial May 8, 2018 sampling. The facility was sampled at six groundwater monitoring wells. In addition, the on-site employee drinking water well was sampled. These wells were selected to determine if impacted water has a potential to discharge to the Huron River at PFOS concentrations above the Part 201 Generic Cleanup Criteria for groundwater surface water interface of 12 ppt.
    • August 31 - EGLE received results from point source monitoring of wastewater discharges in the vicinity of Kent Lake conducted on August 14, 2018.Results are below; no significant sources were identified:
      • Milford WWTP (3 ppt PFOS)
      • South Lyon WWTP (4.4 ppt PFOS)
      • GM Proving Grounds (6.4 ppt PFOS)
      • Seamless Tube cleanup site (<0.4 ppt PFOS)
    • August 31 - As of the end of August, sampling related to EGLE's statewide initiative to test all community water supplies and schools with their own wells is >90% complete within the Huron River Watershed. As remaining sampling results become available, they will be shared on the public water supply statewide sampling survey page.

    Details of Huron River and Norton Creek REsults

    September

    • September 13 - EGLE collected fish from Belleville Lake and the Flat Rock Impoundment.
    • September 18 - The MDHHS issued an avoid swallowing foam on the Huron River.
    • September 19 - EGLE received results for largemouth bass samples that were collected May 8, 2018, from Portage Lake.  
    • September 19 - The city of Wixom issued an administrative compliance order to Tribar.  The order confirms that Tribar's discharge of PFOS caused the Wixom WWTP's effluent to exceed water quality Values and requires Tribar to submit by October 19, 2018, a work plan describing the strategy the company will implement to reduce PFOS effluent discharges.
    • September 20 - EGLE and MDHHS provided an update via a webinar for local units of government, local health departments, and other stakeholders on PFAS findings and activities in the Huron River Watershed.
    • September 25 - 28 - Eight groundwater monitoring wells associated with the Lyon Development Landfill were sampled and analyzed for PFAS.PFOA was ND in all samples. PFOS was ND or detected at very low levels with 1.7 ppt being the highest concentration.
    • September 26 - EGLE received a report following the August sampling event at the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility which revealed that PFOS is discharging to the Huron River above the Part 201 groundwater surface water interface criterion.  There were no detections above the Part 201 groundwater for drinking water criterion on-site, including the potable well (PW-5).EGLE is in the process of reviewing the report and meeting with the responsible party to determine next steps. 
    • September 27 - EGLE received results from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks' self-initiated sampling of their wells; they were ND.
    • September 27 - EGLE received results from several recent surface water and point source samples for PFOS in the Upper Huron River Watershed, including the August 29 and 30 sampling event. Several samples had elevated PFOS levels.
      • The Ford Wixom Plant, a former automotive manufacturing facility where fire training with aqueous film forming foam was conducted.
      • Kelsey Hayes, a former wheel production facility in Milford.
      • A fire training facility used by the city of Wixom.
      • Storm water discharges from Tribar, Plant 4
      • The discharge from a state-funded groundwater cleanup facility (Coe's Cleaners).
      • Other areas with significant industrial operations.

        Upper Huron River Watershed Surface Water & Point Source PFOS Monitoring

    • Actions taken in response to results received on September 27:
      • The city of Wixom had previously been notified of effluent results by EGLE on August 29, 2018.Due to the new sample results, a follow-up discussion was held with EGLE, city of Wixom, and Tribar to discuss effluent results, recent surface water sampling results, and status of corrective actions.
        • Tribar Plant 4 Results
          • Well: 6 ppt PFOS
          • Stormwater: 8,000 ppt PFOS. The stormwater from this facility was later determined to discharge to the Rouge River Watershed not the Huron River Watershed.
      • EGLE staff met on September 28, 2018, to discuss next steps with Coe's Cleaners, a groundwater cleanup site managed by EGLE. The groundwater cleanup discharges to the Mill Pond in the village of Milford and was identified as a source to the Huron River above Kent Lake. EGLE tasked contractor, AECOM, to conduct sampling at all three wells at Coe's Cleaners, as well as the influent and effluent at the air stripper system.
        • Coe's Cleaners Results
        • Additional sample results were ND for this site and it is no longer being considered as a potential source.
      • EGLE met internally on October 1, 2018, to discuss next steps based on the new data with representatives from each of EGLE divisions.
    • September 28 - EGLE collected surface water and fish samples from Argo Pond, Barton Pond, and Hubbell Pond.

    October

    • October 1 - EGLE collected surface water and fish samples from Mill Pond.
    • October 1 - Tribar issued a press release indicating that a temporary GAC mobile unit would be installed on October 5, 2018, to treat their industrial wastewater to remove PFOS prior to discharge into the city of Wixom's sanitary sewer. A permanent system will be installed in December.
    • October 4 - EGLE provided results from Portage Lake largemouth bass to the MDHHS collected earlier in the summer. This data helps with the ongoing investigation but does not alter the existing fish consumption advisory.
    • October 4 - EGLE sent a violation notice to Tribar as a result of the elevated storm water discharges from the facility. Tribar will be required to conduct a storm water characterization study and implement appropriate controls.
    • October 4 - EGLE and MDHHS participated in a public meeting hosted by the Huron River Watershed Council, the Village of Milford, Milford Township, and the City of Wixom at the Milford Civic Center.
    • October 11 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 940 ng/l for PFOS. The effluent from Tribar Plant 4 into the collection was <1.6 ng/l for PFOS.
    • October 15 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 530 ng/l for PFOS.
    • October 16 - EGLE met with representatives from the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility to discuss the next phase of investigation for the PFAS investigation at the facility that will include delineation of groundwater contamination and storm water sampling. The facility will be submitting a work plan for EGLE review and approval in December.
    • October 29-30 - EGLE collects surface water samples from the Upper Huron River Watershed, including from sites on the Huron River, Mann Creek, Woodruff Creek, Pettibone Creek, Norton Creek, Ore Creek, Arms Creek, the Portage River, Honey Creek (Livingston County), and Davis Creek.

    November

    • November 6 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 240 ppt for PFOS.
    • November 14 - Influent, effluent, and biosolids samples were collected at Wixom WWTP by AECOM as part of WRD's biosolids survey.  The effluent was 270 ppt for PFOS.
    • November 26 - EGLE sampled two groundwater treatment systems (granulated activated carbon-GAC) influent and effluent at the Residential Wells Holly Road Facility near Brighton High School north of Brighton Lake and two PFAS samples (influent and effluent) at Main Street Gregory near M-106 and Church Street, Unadilla Township adjacent to an unnamed County Drain flowing SSE.  Results were received late January 2019:
      • Residential Wells Holly Road: PFOS and PFOA were Non Detect in both the influent and the effluent; other PFAS were detected. Resampling is planned for Spring 2019.
      • Main Street Gregory: PFAS was below criteria but still present; resampling is planned for Spring 2019.
    • November 27 - EGLE sampled the permitted wastewater discharge from the Sweepster-Harley Attachments facility located at 2800 North Zeeb Road, Dexter (site of former Daimler Chrysler Facility).Results were less than 1.6 ppt for PFOS.
    • November 27 - EGLE sampled the permitted treated wastewater from the Pall Life Sciences Facility located at 642 South Wagner Road, Ann Arbor. Results were ND for Total Tested PFAS.
    • November 28 - EGLE received results from the October 29 and 30 sampling event. PFOS concentrations in the Huron River exceeded 11 ppt at seven of eight sites, ranging from 15 to 88 ppt.  The eighth Huron River site, upstream of the Norton Creek confluence, had a PFOS concentration of 1 ppt. 

    December

    • December 4 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 150 ppt for PFOS.
    • December 18 - EGLE and MDHHS provided an update on Huron River PFAS data and site investigations to local units of government, local health departments, and other stakeholders in the watershed via a webinar.
    • December 18 - EGLE and MDHHS participated in a public meeting hosted by the Huron River Watershed Council, the City of Ann Arbor, and the Washtenaw County Health Department at the Washtenaw Community College in Townsley Auditorium.
    • December 18 - EGLE received a work plan for the next phase of investigation for the Daimler Chrysler Scio Facility and a revised work plan on December 20, 2018.  This work plan was approved by EGLE on December 21, 2018.  Work to be performed included additional sampling of monitoring wells present at the Facility to further investigate and define the presence of PFAS.  The work plan also required stormwater sampling during wet weather from 5 outfalls at the Facility.  Groundwater sampling will be conducted in January 2019, and stormwater sampling in early February 2019. 

  • 2019

    January

    • January 9 - 11 Groundwater sampling conducted at the Daimler Chrysler Scio Facility as part of the December 2018 work plan.
    • January 15 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 130 ppt for PFOS.
    • January 22 - EGLE WRD approved the City of Ann Arbor's IPP PFAS Initiative report and required ongoing quarterly PFAS monitoring and reporting.

    February

    • February 11 - Daimler Chrysler Scio Facility: EGLE received a report summarizing the results of the groundwater sampling; the report confirmed that PFOS is venting to the Huron River over the Groundwater Surface Water Interface (GSI) criterion in two areas.  Similar to the first sampling event, no PFOA + PFOS concentrations over the groundwater cleanup criteria (70 ppt) were detected.  Storm water results were not yet available from the laboratory and were not included in the report.  The report also made recommendations for additional investigation; the focus of which is to attempt to complete horizontal and vertical delineation of the PFOS plumes venting to the Huron River and to attempt to determine the source of the PFOS contamination in the two areas.

    Huron Watershed Lakes & Impoundments with Fish Tissue PFOS Complete or Pending/Planned

    • February 13 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 53 ppt for PFOS.

    • February 20 - Daimler Chrysler Scio Facility. EGLE met with the consultant to further refine the next phase of investigation.  A work plan for that investigation will be developed following receipt and evaluation of the stormwater samples collected in early February. That work plan is expected to be completed by March 15, 2019.

    March

    • March 4 - EGLE received a work plan for additional PFAS delineation at the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility.  The work plan was approved on March 7.
    • March 12 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 30 ppt for PFOS.
    • March 20 - EGLE collected effluent samples from Brighton WWTP and South Lyon WWTP. Sample results at Brighton WWTP were 11 ppt for PFOS and 19 ppt for PFOA. Sample results at South Lyon WWTP were 0.99 ppt for PFOS and 6.3 ppt for PFOA.
    • March 26 -- EGLE received fish PFAS results for Mann Creek, Pettibone Creek, Belleville Lake, and Flat Rock impoundment.   

    an egle employee stands near an outpouring of water, collecting a sample

    April

    • April 1 - After evaluating the surface water and fish tissue findings for PFAS in Norton Creek and in the Huron River downstream from Norton Creek, deer were sampled for PFAS and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) testing from the Proud Lake Recreation Area adjacent to the Norton Creek area.  Twenty deer were taken and tissues from their kidney, heart, liver, and muscle were tested for PFAS and PCB.
    • April 3 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 19 ppt for PFOS.
    • April 6 - EGLE received a report from Daimler Chrysler Scio facility on results of storm water sampling at the site.  No impacts to storm water above GSI or drinking water criteria were detected.
    • April 10-11 - AECOM sampled 12 residential wells, 7 drinking water wells at the Proud Lake Recreation Area, Milford's two municipal drinking water supply wells, and six surface water locations for PFAS to evaluate drinking water safety and communication with the surface water and groundwater in the vicinity of Norton Creek.
    • April 11 - EGLE's contractor AECOM sampled soil and surface water for PFAS on two land application sites that historically received biosolids from the Wixom WWTP. Sampling was conducted as part of a larger study to evaluate PFAS at biosolids land application sites across the state. PFAS was detected in the soil and surface water. Several of the surface water samples exceeded the Water Quality Value for PFOS of 12 ppt.
    • April 19 - EGLE's WRD approves reports received from the City of Dexter for the IPP PFAS Initiative.  The reports say that one industrial user was found to be discharging above the PFOS screening level but show that Dexter WWTP effluent is below water quality Values for PFOS.  EGLE requires ongoing semi-annual monitoring and reporting for PFAS.
    • April 25 - EGLE collected fish from Proud Lake.  The MDNR's Fisheries Division provided Rainbow trout (steelhead) from the Huron River downstream of Flat Rock.
    • April 26 - EGLE and the MDHHS provided an update on Huron River PFAS data and site investigations to local units of government, local health departments, and other stakeholders in the watershed via a webinar.
    • April 29-30 - EGLE collected surface water samples and storm water samples from Willow Run, Honey Creek (Washtenaw County), Horseshoe Creek, Pettibone Creek, Norton Creek, the outlet of Lake Sherwood, and the Huron River.
    • April 30 - EGLE received a report from Daimler Chrysler Scio with results of phase 1 of additional PFAS investigation and a work plan for phase 2 of the investigation.  Additional delineation of PFAS impacts in four source areas at the site required.

    May

    • May 1 - EGLE received fish collected from Whitmore Lake.
    • May 2-3 - Results received from April 10-11 residential well sampling event in the Norton Creek vicinity.  All residential wells and Milford's supply wells were ND for PFAS.  Six of the seven Proud Lake Recreation Area wells were ND for PFAS; one well had a detection of 11ppt PFOA.  The DNR prohibited the use of the well for public use.  PFAS were detected in all of the surface water samples.
    Huron River Study Area Residential & Surface Water Total PFAS Concentration May 2019
    • May 16 - 17 - EGLE received results from the April 29-30, 2019 surface water sampling event. PFOS was detected in samples from 12 sites and exceeded 11 ppt at five sites. Overall, these results suggest that surface water PFOS concentrations in Norton Creek, downstream of the Wixom WWTP continue to remain low relative to findings from earlier sampling efforts. This one-time sampling event did not find any potential sources in Hamburg Lake, Horseshoe Creek, or the outlet of Lake Sherwood. There may be potential sources of PFAS in Willow Run upstream of the I-94 Service Drive, in the west tributary of Willow Run, and at outfall WROF002; EGLE will conduct follow-up work in this watershed. See Surface Water Sampling Update for more details.
    • May 17 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 27 ppt for PFOS.
    • May 30 - EGLE collected fish from Bass Lake and Sandy Bottom Lake.
    • May 31 - EGLE approved the work plan for next phase of PFAS investigation at the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility.

    June

    • June 4 - EGLE received results for rainbow trout samples collected on April 12, 2019 by MDNR Fisheries Division from the Huron River downstream of Flat Rock.  The UCL was 4 ppb PFOS.  
    • June 12 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 73 ppt for PFOS.

    July

    • July 2 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 31 ppt for PFOS. 
    • July 11 - Drinking water statewide survey sampling at Quality Steel (Milford, Michigan). This sample point was a drinking fountain in the building lobby, and results were 904 ppt total tested PFAS and 201 ppt PFOA + PFOS. This led to a joint investigation between EGLE's Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division (DWEHD), WRD, Materials Management Division (MMD), as well as MDHHS and Oakland County Health Department. 
    • July 12 - EGLE sent a general transmittal to Willow Run Airport requiring the facility to develop a short-term stormwater characterization study plan to conduct wet-weather and dry-weather surface water sampling for PFAS as a result of elevated surface water levels in the creek.
    • July 16 - EGLE collected fish from Kent Lake and Woodland Lake.

    August

    • August 8 - EGLE's WRD approved IPP PFAS Initiative reports submitted by the City of Brighton through July 1, 2019 and acknowledged that to date no sources of PFOS had been found although WWTP effluent was 16.1 ppt (estimated maximum possible concentration) on May 15, 2019.  EGLE's WRD required quarterly WWTP effluent monitoring for PFAS as well as reporting and source investigation.    
    • August 15 - Willow Run Airport submitted their short-term stormwater characterization study plan. EGLE issued a letter requesting revisions to the plan on August 28, 2019 and a revised plan was submitted on August 30, 2019.
    • August 19 - EGLE received results for fish samples collected on July 16, 2019 from Kent Lake.  
    • August 21 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 36 ppt for PFOS.
    • August 21 - EGLE sampled unpermitted storm water and wastewater discharges from Quality Steel, as well as nearby waterways/wetlands (including the west branch of Norton Creek and a tributary to Kent Lake).  None of these results exceeded Rule 57 Water Quality Values for PFOS or PFOA.

    September

    • September 3-4 - EGLE's contractor AECOM sampled 6 groundwater monitoring wells (3 shallow and 3 deep) at two land applications sites that received biosolids from the Wixom WWTP. Soil and surface water were sampled at these two sites in April 2019. PFAS was detected in 2 of the 6 monitoring wells (both shallow), however all reported concentrations were below the Part 201 Groundwater Protection Criteria. 
    • September 10 (through October 8) - Sampling of 4 residential and 8 commercial properties by AECOM on behalf of EGLE. These results were ND, except for a detection of 10 ppt PFHxA at one business, as well as 2 ppt PFBS at one residence.
    • September 17 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 33 ppt for PFOS.
    • September 19 - EGLE issued an approval for the Willow Run Airport PFAS sampling plan.
    • September 20 - Willow Run Airport conducted their first dry-weather sampling event. Highest result for PFOS was 43 ppt and PFOA was 6.9 ppt for outfalls that discharge to Willow Run Creek. Note, PFOS was 220 ppt from stormwater outfall 005 during this sampling event. This outfall discharges to the Rouge River Watershed.
    • September 26 - EGLE deployed Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) at ten locations in Norton Creek, Willow Run and the Huron River to identify if there are intermittent sources of PFAS contamination in the watershed.
    • September 26 - EGLE collected fish from Ore Lake.
    • September 27 - EGLE collected surface water samples from Ore Lake, and Ore Creek.

    October

    • October 1 - The MDHHS issues final report, "PFAS Levels in Michigan Deer from the Huron River Area".  All muscle tissue samples were non-detect for PFAS and PCBs.  Ten of the liver samples and 6six of the kidney samples had very low levels of PFOS.
    • October 2 - The MDHHS and the MDNR issue press release regarding the report and provide notification that a consumption advisory for deer in this area was not necessary.
    • October 8 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 17 ppt for PFOS. 
    • October 9 - EGLE received surface water sampling results from Ore Lake (2.6 ppt PFOS), Ore Creek at Riverside Drive (2.2-2.4 ppt PFOS), and Ore Creek at Hamburg Road (2.5 ppt PFOS).
    • October 10 - Willow Run Airport conducted their second dry-weather sampling event. Highest result for PFOS was 32 ppt and PFOA was 3.4 ppt for outfalls that discharge to Willow Run Creek. Note, PFOS was 170 ppt from stormwater outfall 005 during this sampling event. This outfall discharges to the Rouge River Watershed.
    • October 21 - Willow Run Airport attempted to conduct wet-weather sampling but not enough rain fell, therefore, this event represents a dry-weather sampling event and not all outfalls were sampled. Highest result for PFOS was 33 ppt and PFOA was 3.3 ppt for outfalls that discharge to Willow Run Creek. Note, PFOS was 240 ppt from stormwater outfall 005 during this sampling event. This outfall discharges to the Rouge River Watershed.
    • October 22 - EGLE received a draft report from the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility with results of the May 2019 approved work plan.  There are three source areas venting to Huron River above GSI criteria; one of those just above drinking water criteria (71 ppt PFOA + PFOS).
    • October 24 - EGLE retrieved Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) from ten locations in Norton Creek, Willow Run, and the Huron River.
    • October 25 - Willow Run Airport conducted additional dry-weather sampling of two outfalls that discharge to Willow Run Creek. The highest result for PFOS was 3.5 ppt and PFOA was 4.4 ppt.
    • October 29 - EGLE received results for fish samples from Proud Lake (collected on April 25, 2019), Sandy Bottom Lake (collected on May 30, 2019), Woodland Lake (collected on July 16, 2019), Whitmore Lake (collected on May 1, 2019), and Bass Lake (collected on May 30, 2019).   
    • October 31 - Result received for resampling of Proud Lake campground well (see May 2019 update)-ND for all PFAS.  Previously had 11 ppt PFOA.

    three photos with egle staff standing in a river setting up a cage to catch fish

    November

    • November 5 -  The Daimler Chrysler Scio Facility becomes an official MPART site.
    • November 12 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 28 ppt for PFOS.

    December

    • December 5 - Foam advisory signs were delivered to local health departments.
    • December 10 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 26 ppt for PFOS.
    • December 9 - Willow Run Airport conducted wet-weather sampling for two outfalls, one of which discharges to Willow Run Creek. Result for PFOS was 58 ppt and PFOA was 5.3 ppt.

  • 2020

    January

    • January 17 – Willow Run Airport requested an extension to gather wet-weather PFAS samples related to the short-term storm water characterization study until August 31, 2020. This request was reviewed and approved by the WRD’s compliance staff and district supervisor.
    • January 15 – EGLE received a work plan from the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility for additional PFAS sampling at the site including a potable well on-site.
    • January 21 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 40 ppt for PFOS.

    February

    • February 13 – EGLE collected fish from Silver Lake in the Pinckney Recreation Area.
    • February 18 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 18 ppt for PFOS.
    • February 20 – Sampling of Quality Steel (Milford, Michigan) source water well. These results were ND for all tested PFAS compounds.
    • February 24 – EGLE approved the work plan for additional sampling at the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility.
    • February 25 – EGLE had an internal meeting to discuss the need for residential well sampling at the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility. It was decided that Dr. David W. Hyndman of Michigan State University would be contracted to select wells for potential sampling. The MDHHS will work with the Washtenaw County Health Department to perform the sampling.

    March

    • March 7 – EGLE received recommendations from Dr. Hyndman of Michigan State University for sampling at seven residential homes in the vicinity of the Daimler Chrysler Scio site.
    • March 9 – EGLE received a status report from the Brighton WWP providing sample results showing low PFOS in the collection system, industrial user effluent, and WWTP influent but WWTP effluent exceeding water quality values.  The City of Brighton reported that there could be a buildup of PFOS in their WWTP dosing cell and sand filters.
    • March 17 – Sampling of residential wells in the vicinity of the Daimler Chrysler Scio facility delayed due to problems related to sampling during the COVID-19 forced shut-down.
    • March 23 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 16 ppt for PFOS. 
    • March 24 – EGLE published a staff report “Investigation of the Occurrence and Source(s) of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in the Huron River Watershed July 2018-December 2019."

    April

    • April 1 – EGLE received results from Polar Organic Integrative Sampler (POCIS) membrane PFAS analysis from ten sites in Norton Creek, Willow Run, and the Huron River. EGLE is working on a summary report of the data.
    • April 8 – The MDNR issued contract for the research project, “Fate, Transport, and Bioaccumulation of PFAS in the Huron River Watershed.”
    • April 14 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 12 ppt for PFOS.
    • April 16 – EGLE approved a proposal from Daimler Chrysler Scio facility to conduct a feasibility study for elimination of PFAS discharge to the Huron River.

    May

    • May 11 – EGLE staff met to discuss potential sources of PFAS to Portage Lake and tributaries to Portage Lake.
    • May 13 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 17 ppt for PFOS.
    • May 16 – EGLE received results for fish collected on September 26, 2019, from Ore Lake. May 20 – EGLE received a report from the City of Dexter showing that its industrial user PFOS source had reduced PFOS to <1.92 ppt. Dexter WWTP effluent has remained below WQS.

    June

    • June 4 – EGLE collected fish and surface water from Argo Pond in Washtenaw County.
    • June 11 – EGLE and the MDHHS provided an update via a webinar for local units of government, local health departments, and other stakeholders on PFAS findings and activities in the Huron River Watershed.
    • June 14 – EGLE collected fish and surface water samples from Kent Lake in Oakland County.
    • June 23 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 29 ppt for PFOS.
    • June 26 – EGLE received surface water PFAS results collected from Argo Pond on June 4, 2020. PFOS was 1.98 ppt.

    July

    • July 9 – EGLE received surface water PFAS results collected from Kent Lake on June 14, 2020. PFOS was 3.9 ppt.
    • July 21 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 51 ppt for PFOS.
    • July 22 – EGLE received the investigation report from TRC regarding additional PFAS investigation at the former Daimler Chrysler Scio site. Twelve additional groundwater samples, one surface water sample, and samples at two locations from the potable well on-site used to service the current facility were collected. The results from the groundwater samples were used to further delineate the extent of PFOA and PFOS present at the site above drinking water and/or GSI criteria. This delineation is now largely completed. The results from the surface water sample was used to demonstrate a connection between shallow groundwater and surface water at the site via evaluation of geochemical signatures of the shallow groundwater and the surface water at the site, One of the two samples from the on-site potable well had PFOS detected at 1.9 ppt, the other sample was non-detect; therefore, all of these results are below all current drinking water criteria.
    • July 23 – EGLE published a staff report “Investigation of the Occurrence and Source(s) of Per‑ and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in the Huron River Watershed Using Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS)” (MI/EGLE/WRD-20-020). The report summarizes POCIS sampling that occurred in September and October 2019. The results suggest that there are potential sources of PFAS in Norton Creek and Willow Run with significantly higher concentrations of PFOS in these two tributaries (this supports previous surface water sampling data). Please see the full report for additional details.
    • July 26 – EGLE collected fish and surface water from Ford Lake in Washtenaw County.

    August

    • August 3-4 – EGLE collected surface water samples from the following areas: Huron River, Norton Creek, South Ore Creek, Portage Lake tributaries, Honey Creek in Washtenaw County, Willow Run, Washago Pond, and three lakes not connected to the river (Silver, Mirror, and Fonda). See June-August 2020 status update for more details.
    • August 12 – EGLE received surface water PFAS results collected from Ford Lake on July 26, 2020. PFOS was 3.6 ppt.
    • August 13 – EGLE collected fish and surface water samples from Base Line Lake in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties and fish from Kent Lake in Oakland County.
    • August 18 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 31 ppt for PFOS.
    • August 20 and 24 – EGLE received results from August 3 through 4, 2020, surface water sampling. Samples collected from Norton Creek, Willow Run, and Washago Pond (on Regan Drain in Willow Metropark) exceeded the WQS for PFOS. PFOS concentrations in Norton Creek have continued to decline since July 2018 when it was first observed at 5,600 ng/L. Samples collected from Portage Lake tributaries were below the WQS for PFOS. Samples collected from Honey Creek (Washtenaw County) were below the WQS for PFOS. Additional source-tracking work is ongoing in Willow Run and the Regan Drain (Washago Pond). See June-August 2020 status update for more details.
    • August 24 – EGLE received a quarterly effluent monitoring report from the Ann Arbor WWTP with results of 3 ppt PFOS.WWTP effluent has remained below 4 ppt since August 2019.
    • August 25 – EGLE collected fish and surface water from the Flat Rock Impoundment on the Huron River and Regan Drain (Washago Pond in the Willow Metropark) in Wayne County.
    • August 26 – EGLE received surface water PFAS results from August 13, 2020, collection at Base Line Lake. PFOS was 4.8 ppt.

    September

    • September 8 – EGLE collected fish from Argo Pond in Washtenaw County.
    • September 9 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 24 ppt for PFOS.
    • September 14 – EGLE received results from August 25, 2020, follow-up surface water sampling in the Washago Pond (Willow Metropark) area. Two samples from Regan Drain (in Washago Pond and upstream of Washago Pond) exceeded the PFOS WQS and confirmed the previous elevated result in Washago Pond. See June-August 2020 status update for more details.
    • September 18 – After being informed in late August by EGLE staff regarding the findings at the 1279 Rickett Road site, Brighton WWTP sampled three areas near the site to investigate whether contaminated groundwater could be infiltrating into the sanitary sewer. Sample results did not indicate the infiltration of PFAS-contaminated groundwater into the sanitary sewer near the site.
    • September 24 – EGLE staff met to discuss potential sources of PFAS to Regan Drain and Washago Pond in the Willow Metropark.

    October

    • October 14 – EGLE collected additional surface water samples from the Huron River and Regan Drain as part of the ongoing effort to identify a source or sources of PFOS to the Regan Drain and Washago Pond.
    • October 15 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 16 ppt for PFOS.

    November

    • November 3 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 21 ppt for PFOS.
    • November 5 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 27 ppt for PFOS.
    • November 5 – EGLE received the results from the October 14, 2020 follow-up surface water sampling in the Huron River and Regan Drain. Three sampling locations from Regan Drain (in Washago Pond, upstream of Washago Pond, and in the main branch of Regan Drain) exceeded the PFOS WQS.
    • November 23 – EGLE received results for fish samples collected from Washago Pond on August 25, 2020.
    • November 25 – Based on the surface water results from the October 14, 2020 sampling, EGLE conducted a targeted surface water sampling event in the Regan Drain to further pinpoint the source or sources of PFOS to the Regan Drain and Washago Pond.

    December

    • December 8 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 34 ppt for PFOS.
    • December 14 – EGLE received the results from the November 24, 2020 surface water sampling event in the Regan Drain. Two sampling locations exceeded the PFOS WQS.

  • 2021

    January

    • January 5 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 32 ppt for PFOS.
    • January 21 - In response to foam complaints on Portage Lake, EGLE sampled Pittsfield Products which is authorized via a Groundwater Discharge Permit to discharge environmental remediation wastewater to groundwater of the State. The facility previously fabricated wire mesh filters for the automotive and small engine industries. Currently, the facility is not in operation and does not generate any waste streams other than treated groundwater.  Groundwater historically contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is treated through two recovery well systems that pump groundwater through carbon adsorption vessels, which is then discharged to trenches. EGLE collected two influent samples and 2 effluent samples (one from each treatment system). The influent samples reported low-level detections for PFBA, PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFOS but results were below Part 201 Groundwater Cleanup Criteria. Both effluent samples were non-detect for all PFAS analyzed.

    February

    • February 2 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 16 ppt for PFOS.
    • February 18 - EGLE collected fish from Fish Lake in Livingston County as part of citizen submitted Targeted Monitoring Request. Contaminant analysis results are pending and will be added to the Huron River Fish results table when available.
    • February 22 - Due to the sample results from the November 25, 2020 surface water sample event, EGLE issued a letter to Brose New Boston Inc. requiring the facility to collect a sample from the onsite stormwater pond in order to verify it is not a contributing source of PFOS to the Regan Drain.

    March

    • March 2 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 11 ppt for PFOS.
    • March 12 - EGLE's contractor AECOM resampled 6 groundwater monitoring wells at two land application sites that received biosolids from the Wixom WWTP. The monitoring wells were originally sampled in September 2019. In March 2021, PFAS was detected in 3 of the 6 monitoring wells, including the two shallow wells which reported PFAS in 2019 and one deep well. One of the shallow wells reported a PFOA value of 16.4 ppt, which exceeds the Part 201 Groundwater Protection Criteria for PFOA of 8 ppt.

    April

    • April 5 - EGLE sent a letter providing notification to WWTPs in Michigan imposing additional sampling requirements for WWTPs that land apply biosolids after July 1, 2021.  The WWTPs are required to sample for PFAS prior to land application and inform landowners and farmers of the results. Depending on the results, WWTPs may be required to take additional actions if concentrations of PFOS are elevated or industrially impacted.  For more information about the Biosolids Interim Strategy for Land Application of Biosolids Containing PFAS, visit Michigan.gov/Biosolids.
    • April 6 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was <47.7 ppt for PFOS.
    • April 16 - The City of Wixom issued a Notice of Violation to Tribar Plant 5 for discharging PFOS to the WWTP above the screening level set by the City of 12 ppt in November 2020. In response to the Notice of Violation, Tribar Plant 5 will install a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment system to treat its discharge for PFAS.
    • April 22 - The DNR collected fish from Ford Lake in Washtenaw County and Bellville Lake in Wayne County. Contaminant analysis results are pending and will be added to the Huron River Fish results table when available.

    May

    • May 4 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 11 ppt for PFOS.
    • May 11 - EGLE collected fish from Kent Lake in Oakland County. Contaminant analysis results are pending and will be added to the Huron River Fish results table when available.
    • May 13 - EGLE collected fish from Washago Pond at the Willow Metropark in Wayne County.
    • May 16 - EGLE collected fish from Proud Lake in Oakland County. Contaminant analysis results are pending and will be added to the Huron River Fish results table when available.
    • May 19 - EGLE received a Pollution Emergency Allerting System (PEAS) report regarding a dam failure at the Washago Pond of the Regan Drain. EGLE decided to forego contaminant analyses on the Washago Pond fish collected on May 13th, 2021 due to the dam failure.
    • May 29 - EGLE collected fish from Bruin Lake at the Pinckney State Recreation Area in Washtenaw County. Contaminant analysis results are pending and will be added to the Huron River Fish results table when available.

    June

    • June 14 - EGLE issued a Violation Notice (VN-011827) to Brose New Boston Inc. in response to an exceedance of water quality values from sampling the facility conducted in March.  Brose will submit a Source Investigation and Identification Plan to EGLE for approval.
    • June 15 - The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 15 ppt for PFOS.
    • June 17 - The City of Brighton submitted an IPP PFAS Status Report.  Investigations are ongoing, but no current sources of PFOS have been found.  Although inconclusive, some data indicate that legacy PFOS could be within the WWTP.
    • June 17 -- The City of Dexter submitted an IPP PFAS Status Report that said its one identified source of PFOS was continuing efforts to clean equipment to address historical use of a PFOS-containing product.  The Dexter WWTP effluent continues to meet water quality values for PFOS.

    July

    • Biosolids samples taken at Ann Arbor WWTP and Brighton WWTP under the Biosolids Interim Strategy for Land Application of Biosolids indicated no need for any biosolids application restrictions.
    • July 6 - The effluent from the Wixon WWTP was 9.4 ppt for PFOS.
    • July 14 - EGLE approved a PFAS Source Investigation and Identification Plan for Brose New Boston Inc. to address the storm water discharge from the facility.  The completion date for the study is January 14th, 2022.
    • July 27 - EGLE collected fish from the Huron River within the City of Rockwood in Wayne County. Contaminant analysis results are pending and will be added to the Huron River Fish results table when available.

    August

    •  August 8 - The City of Ann Arbor submitted an IPP PFAS Status Report.  The City landfill leachate accepted by the WWTP was retested and was still below water quality values for PFOS and PFOA. An industrial user's effluent was retested in 2020 also was below water quality values.  City WWTP effluent has been below water quality values for PFOS since August 2019.
    • August 17 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 13 ppt for PFOS.

    September

    • September 14 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 11 ppt for PFOS.

    October

    • October 5 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was <100 ppt for PFOS.
    • October 28 – Tribar Plant 5 installed Granular Activated Carbon vessels to address PFAS in their discharge. Future monitoring sampling will quantify new concentrations at the facility and inform EGLE and Tribar about steps moving forward.

    November

    • November 2 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 9.45 ppt for PFOS.
    • November 4 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 8.1 ppt for PFOS.

    December

    • December 1 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was <27 ppt for PFOS.

  • 2022

    January

    • January 4 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was 9.1 ppt for PFOS.

    February

    • February 1 – The effluent from the Wixom WWTP was <1.9 ppt for PFOS.