Bishop International Airport Authority (Flint, Genesee County)

Brian Kuberski, KuberskiB@Michigan.gov or 517-243-7574.

In September 2020, Bishop International Airport Authority located at 3425 West Bristol Road, was awarded a grant to begin determining the extent and distribution of PFAS in soil and groundwater at places where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was used. These areas include, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station, Live Burn Certification Area, Timed Response Certification Area, 11/11 Crash Site, Taxiway C West Area, and AFFF Release Area. Soil borings were taken between 10 to 20 feet below ground, and a total of 168 soil samples were collected. PFAS were detected in soil at each of the past AFFF use areas. Groundwater samples were collected at the ARFF Station area and were above PFAS criteria.

While we do not know the direction of groundwater flow in the shallow aquifer, contamination in the shallow groundwater and water identified in storm sewers, suggests PFAS is likely migrating to the nearby Swartz Creek. A surface water sample was collected from Swartz Creek immediately downstream of the airport and the results were below criteria.

Content posted August 2022.

Most homes near the airport are on private wells, which are in a deep aquifer that was sampled by EGLE. Investigations conducted by EGLE as part of the former City of Flint Landfill on the western end of the airport included installing and sampling wells within the deep bedrock aquifer. No PFAS compounds were identified in the deep bedrock aquifer below the former landfill area. One shallow residential well was identified, sampled, and was non-detect for PFAS.

As of August 2022, the Airport had submitted a grant application to EGLE for additional investigation, which was being modified. The grant will support additional testing and monitoring at the Airport.