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Otsego Area Study/Fields Area of Interest (Otsego, Allegan County)

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

EGLE site lead

Ray Spaulding, SpauldingR1@Michigan.gov or 517-290-2401.

Background

In April 2018, in response to community health concerns, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) compiled a list of known sites of environmental contamination within the greater Otsego area.  Landfills and paper mills were identified as potential areas of interest. Paper sludge that was used as a soil amendment (a material added to soil to make it better for plant growth and health) on local farm fields was also identified as a potential concern. Also identified as a concern was black liquor, a byproduct of paper production, which had been applied to local roads to reduce dust.  In response to these concerns, EGLE conducted a multi-phase investigation which included collecting samples from landfill monitoring wells, residential drinking water wells, ponds next to landfills, soils in select farm fields, and soils from select local roads.

Regional groundwater discharges to the Kalamazoo River, which discharges ultimately into Lake Michigan. Shallow regional groundwater flows generally to the south southwest for properties located north of the Kalamazoo River, while shallow regional groundwater flows generally to the north northwest for properties located south of the Kalamazoo River.

Content posted December 2020

Figure 1: Otsego Area Residential Well Sampling (PFOA)

Analytical results for PFOA in all residential samples collected to date within the entire Otsego Area Study compared to the new PFOA criteria.

October 27, 2020

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Figure 2: Otsego Area Residential Well Sampling (PFOS)

Analytical results for PFOS in all residential samples collected to date within the entire Otsego Area Study compared to the new PFOS criteria.

October 27, 2020

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Figure 3: Menasha Landfill Surface Water Sampling Results

Analytical results for PFOA and PFOS in surface water samples collected at the Menasha Landfill from 2018 to 2020.

December 10, 2020

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Figure 4: Menasha Landfill Groundwater Sampling Results

Analytical results for PFOA and PFOS in groundwater samples collected at the Menasha Landfill from 2018 to 2020.

December 10, 2020

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Figure 5: Menasha Landfill Soil Sampling Results

Analytical results for PFOS and PFOA in soil samples collected at the Menasha Landfill; also shows surface water sampling locations.

September 2019

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Figure 6: Menasha Landfill Soil & Groundwater Sample Cross Section A-A'

A geologic cross section depicting recent soil and groundwater samples collected and analyzed for PFOS and PFOA at the Menasha Landfill.

November 6, 2020

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Figure 7: Menasha Landfill Soil & Groundwater Sample Cross Section B-B'

A geologic cross section depicting recent soil and groundwater samples collected and analyzed for PFOS and PFOA at the Menasha Landfill.

November 6, 2020

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Figure 8:  Hazelwood Drive Area Residential Well Sampling (PFOA)

Analytical results for PFOA in the expanded residential sampling performed at Hazelwood Drive in Otsego Township compared to the new PFOA criteria.

October 26, 2020

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Figure 9:  Hazelwood Drive Area Residential Well Sampling (PFOS)

Analytical results for PFOS in the expanded residential sampling performed at Hazelwood Drive in Otsego Township compared to the new PFOS criteria.

October 26, 2020

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Figure 10:  Vertical Aquifer Sampling Groundwater Flow Direction

Groundwater flow direction map boring/temporary well locations for the Hazelwood Drive focused remedial investigation.

April 2020

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Figure 11:  Hazelwood Drive Soil & Groundwater Sample Cross Section  

A geological cross section depicting recent soil and groundwater samples collected and analyzed for PFOS and PFOA from the Hazelwood Drive Investigation.

November 6, 2020

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Figure 12:  2nd Street Area Residential Well Sampling (PFOA)

Analytical results for PFOA in the expanded residential sampling performed at 2nd Street in Alamo Township compared to the new PFOA criteria.

October 26, 2020

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Figure 13:  2nd Street Area Residential Well Sampling (PFOS)

Analytical results for PFOS in the expanded residential sampling performed at 2nd Street in Alamo Township compared to the new PFOS criteria.

October 26, 2020

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Figure 14:  Historical Paper Sludge Farm Fields (PFOS) 

Locations and analytical results for PFOS in soil results of the farm fields that received historical paper sludge amendments.

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Figure 15: Historical Paper Sludge Farm Fields (PFOA)

Locations and analytical results for PFOA in soil results of the farm fields that received historical paper sludge amendments.

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Figure 16: Historical Black Liquor Roadways (PFOS)

Locations and analytical results for PFOS in soil results of the roadways that received historical black liquor application for dust control purposes.

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Figure 17: Historical Black Liquor Roadways (PFOA)

Locations and analytical results for PFOA in soil results of the roadways that received historical black liquor application for dust control purposes.

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Figure 18: Overlay

The residential well locations and regional groundwater flow contours overlain with the PFOS analytical soil results of the farm fields that received historical paper sludge amendments.

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Drinking water

Allegan County Health Department provided filters and bottled water to residents with PFAS exceedances of the MCLs.

Anticipated activities

EGLE will continue collecting residential drinking water samples for PFAS analysis down-gradient of know fields with historical paper sludge application. EGLE is working to identify additional fields that historically received paper sludge application from historical knowledge

Historical timeline