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North 34th Street (Richland Township, Kalamazoo County)

North 34th Street (Richland Township, Kalamazoo County)

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Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.

EGLE site lead

Rachel Golota, GolotaR@Michigan.gov or 269-370-2404.

Background

The North 34th Street site includes the former location of Production Plated Plastics and is located in Richland Township in Kalamazoo County. In 1977, heavy metal contamination was discovered in groundwater samples that were collected from residential wells along North 34th Street. Investigations conducted by EGLE determined the source of the heavy metal contamination was a plastics plating company located on East D Avenue. Pursuant to court orders, the plastics plating company replaced the affected residential drinking water wells and undertook other response activities. In 1985, halogenated volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) were identified in the groundwater at the site. EGLE investigations determined the plastics plating company, as well as a laundry and dry-cleaning business located on North 34th Street, were the cause of the HVOC contamination. As such, the area-wide impacts were designated as the North 34th Street site.

In the 1980s, the plastics plating company completed work to install, operate, and maintain a groundwater cleanup system. In 1988, EGLE extended municipal water to the site to provide safe drinking water to the residents with contaminated drinking water wells. The EGLE has also performed work to determine the extent of HVOC contamination. The State sued the plating company; however, cost recovery was unsuccessful. In 1991, the EGLE took over operation and maintenance (O&M) of the groundwater cleanup system after the company went out of business. The property is now owned by the State of Michigan Land Bank. Since 1991, numerous cleanup efforts have been implemented—and continue to be implemented.

Content updated November 2024.

Shallow groundwater contours site map

See an aerial view of the shallow groundwater contours at the location of the site.

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N 34th Street Shallow Groundwater Contours

Deep groundwater contours site map

See an aerial view of the deep groundwater contours at the location of the site.

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N 34th Street Deep Groundwater Contours Map Preview

Drinking water

166 residential drinking water wells have been sampled within Richland and Ross Townships. Filters have been offered to residents by the health department.

 

Anticipated activities

EGLE will continue to monitor groundwater contamination by sampling select groundwater monitoring wells twice a year.

EGLE will be evaluating several technologies to determine feasibility to treat nickel, chromium, and PFAS in soil.

MDHHS will continue to annually sample residential drinking water wells outside areas provided with municipal water.

The City of Kalamazoo submitted 2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Project Planning Document and 2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Project Planning Appendices for funding through Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). This document proposes extending municipal water into sections of Richland and Ross Townships. The project was announced on the project priority list in DWSRF’s Final Intended Use Plan for Fiscal Year 2025. Next steps for the water extension will be decided at the township level.

Historical timeline

    • In March of 2018, the city of Kalamazoo informed EGLE that as part of a state-wide requirement to test publicly owned treatment works for PFAS the city was proactively collecting effluent samples from permitted discharges to the sanitary system.
    • On April 13, 2018, effluent samples from the groundwater pumping system at the North 34th Street site were collected by the City’s consultant, Fleis & VandenBrink. EGLE’s consultant for the site, AECOM, also was present during the sampling to collect a sample for separate analysis.
    • On May 15, 2018, the city of Kalamazoo notified AECOM of the results of the effluent sampling, which showed a result of 8,000 ppt PFOS. No other PFAS compounds were detected in the effluent sample. A duplicate sample of the effluent collected by the city detected 7,500 ppt PFOS.
    • On May 30, 2018, EGLE received the results of the effluent sample collected by AECOM. The sampling results indicated the presence of PFOS at a concentration of 9,640 ppt, as well as other PFAS analytes at lower concentrations (non-detect to 39.7 ppt). These results were shared with the city of Kalamazoo, and state and local health departments.
    • On May 31, 2018, the EGLE hosted a meeting with the city, state health department, and county health department to discuss the city’s sampling results and path moving forward.
    • On June 26, 2018, EGLE received a cost estimate for installing a PFAS treatment system at the facility and identified funding and a timeline for implementing the treatment system by the end of July.
    • On June 26, 2018, EGLE and AECOM staff collected residential well samples from four residences and one Type II well and expedited analysis of these samples. One of these samples was non-detect; 4 were greater than 70 ppt.
    • On July 11th, 12th and 18th 2018, EGLE completed residential well sampling at 26 residences. Sampling results indicated 8 wells were non-detect; 10 wells were greater than non-detect but below 70 ppt; and, 8 wells were greater than 70 ppt.
    • On July 18, 2018, EGLE held a townhall at the Living Hope Church to provide information and answer questions from Richland residents.
    • On July 31, 2018, EGLE installed and made operational a groundwater treatment system for the existing groundwater pumping system. Testing of the system indicates it is in compliance with the discharge requirements for the city of Kalamazoo’s wastewater treatment system.
    • Between August 12th and 20th, 2018, EGLE sampled 31 additional residential wells. Sampling results indicated 28 wells were non-detect; 2 wells were greater than non-detect but below 70 ppt; and, 1 well was greater than 70 ppt.
    • Between November 5th, 2018, and January 31, 2019, EGLE has installed 12 remedial investigation nested monitoring wells sets in the study area.
    • Between December 3rd and 28th, 2018, EGLE sampled 21 additional residential wells. Sampling results indicated 6 wells were non-detect; 12 wells were greater than non-detect but below 70 ppt; and, 3 wells were greater than 70 ppt.
    • Based on monitoring well results received in January 2019, the residential well sampling area was expanded to the south, along 35th St and Greer Dr.
    • In December 2018, EGLE sampled recently installed monitoring wells. Results of the sampling were received on December 31, 2018.
    • In January 2019, EGLE approved the workplan for additional residential well sampling in the new expanded study area. Sampling was scheduled to occur the week of February 17, 2019.
    • On February 22, 2019, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) completed the first phase of Remedial Investigation monitoring well installation activities on February 22, 2018.
    • On March 29, 2019, sampling of the wells installed in February 2019 was completed.
    • Between February 18 – 25, 2019, EGLE completed residential well sampling activities between in the new study area. 33 samples have been collected.
    • On April 11, 2019, Richland Township hosted a Town Hall meeting from 6:00pm-8:00pm to discuss water main extension activities. EGLE District staff gave an update of the investigation activities at this time. View the N 34th Street Update Meeting Presentation (pdf). Located at the Gracespring Bible Church, 8643 Gull Road, in Richland. 
    • On April 25, 2019, Sen. McCann hosted a Town Hall from 6:00pm – 7:00pm at the Parchment High School Auditorium, 1916 East G Ave., in Parchment.  EGLE gave an update. This was not a state-hosted event.
    • Surface water results have been received. Eight out of the 10 samples collected exceed the Groundwater-Surface water Interface (GSI) criteria for PFOS, which is 12 ppt. EGLE is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) on necessary future actions.
    • During the week of May 13, 2019, ten surface water samples were collected from nine surface water bodies to be analyzed for PFAS. 
    • On July 3, 2019, three additional surface water samples and five residential/agricultural wells were sampled. 
    • In August 2019, results were received for the surface water and residential well samples collected in July. All five well samples were ND for PFAS. Two out of the three surface water samples had PFOS concentrations above the GSI criteria.  
    • In October 2019, EGLE assisted MDARD and FDA with the collection of crop tissue and feed samples from the farm which utilizes PFAS contaminated surface water for irrigation. 
    • The workplan for the Incremental Sampling Method (ISM) of the farm fields has been prepared and approved. However, ISM sampling of the soils in the farm field has been delayed.
    • ISM Sampling of the farms fields was completed in the fall of 2020.
    • In August of 2021, seven additional residential wells were sampled to the north of the farm fields.  All seven of the wells were non-detect for PFAS.
    • In November 2021, one additional nested monitoring well set was installed to the northeast to help with delineation. Five additional shallow wells were installed along C Ave to confirm the residential well sampling results in this area.
    • Quarterly groundwater monitoring of all on and offsite wells was initiated in June of 2022. EGLE recently completed the third quarter of groundwater monitoring. 
    • Based on the ongoing groundwater monitoring, EGLE has worked with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department (KCHCSD), and Ross Township to initiate notification to well owners and the sampling of approximately 65 residential wells within Ross Township. Note: the residential wells are within the buffer zone and were previously offered filters by KCHCSD.
    • MDHHS sent notification letters to residents in Ross Township in late January 2023. 
    • In February and August 2023 groundwater monitoring wells were sampled.
    • The groundwater treatment system was shut down on June 30, 2023. The treatment system was decommissioned to allow for metal remediation in groundwater.
    • October 30, 2023, MPART hosted a public meeting at the Kellogg Biological Station, located at 3700 E Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, from 6:00-8:00pm. MPART gave an overview of PFAS, MDHHS provided information about possible health effects related to PFAS exposure, and EGLE provided updates on the PFAS investigation. Public Services Director & City Engineer of the City of Kalamazoo presented information about a proposed municipal water extension into parts of Richland and Ross Townships.
    • MDHHS collected residential well samples in the spring of 2024. Result letters have been finalized and mailed.
    • In May 2024, EGLE conducted a multi-incremental sampling study to evaluate the concentration of PFAS and metals in soil within the former footprint of the Production Plated Plastics’ building. Multi-incremental sampling is a type of sampling which can more accurately evaluate the average contamination concentration in soil over a large area. The information from this investigation will help target future treatment of the contaminated soil. 
    • On June 11, 2024, EGLE gave a quick synopsis of current site activities at the Gull Lake Quality Organization (GLQO) annual meeting hosted at the Kellogg Manor House, at the Kellogg Biological Station (5700 Gull E Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners). 
    • In June 2024, EGLE collected a round of groundwater samples. Figures and a data table have been updated to show sampling results from 2022-2024.
    • A pilot study to treat dissolved metals in groundwater was completed in September 2024. This pilot study aims to prevent metals in groundwater from migrating off the property. Groundwater samples will be collected for the next 12 months to evaluate the treatment’s success.
    • EGLE collected pore water samples along Idlewild Drive in September 2024. The goal of this study is to determine if PFAS in shallow groundwater is venting/discharging to Gull Lake.
    • EGLE is evaluating passive sampling as an alternative sampling technique to monitor PFAS concentrations in groundwater. Passive sampling is a method of groundwater sampling which collects a sample without using a pump. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy, reliability, and cost effectiveness of two types of passive samplers. The study will conclude in 2025. 

    Sampling: PFOS and PFOA Only

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled

    Number of Samples

    Number of Results Received

    Number of Non-detects

    Number of Detections Below Standard*

    Number of Detections Above Standard*
    Drinking Water (Residential) Jun 27, 2018 -
    Jul 3, 2019    		 120 120 78 26 16
    Monitoring Wells Oct 29, 2018 -
    Apr 11, 2019    		 86 86 26 11 49
    Extraction Wells Oct 1, 2018 3 3 0 0 3
    Effluent (Pumping System) Apr 13, 2018 -
    Nov 19, 2018    		 4 4 2 1 1

    Cumulative

    		 226 226 107 40 79

    *Surface water and effluent results are compared to Rule 57 surface water quality values of 12 ppt for PFOS and 12,000 ppt for PFOA.
    *Residential well results are compared to the EPA LHA of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.