Jaco Plating (Jackson, Jackson County)

Jaco Plating is an abandoned electroplating facility located at 502 East Mansion Street. In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted cleanup activities at the site for solvents and metals, including abandoned drum and soil removal. Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) funds were also used to demolish the building and remove additional soils. EGLE received a notice of migration indicating that PFAS had migrated off the property. Onsite monitoring wells were sampled for PFAS, and the highest results were 2,300 ppt PFOS (compared to 16 ppt), 160 ppt PFHxS (compared to 51 ppt), 29 ppt PFOA (compared to 8 ppt). PFECHS was found at 12,000 ppt but there is no drinking water criteria for PFECHS. PFAS was found in shallow groundwater and concentrations decrease with depth.

Groundwater flow is assumed to be towards the northeast, towards the Grand River. Compliance monitoring began in 2020 and all results of the water residents are drinking have been non-detect. This site is upgradient of the city of Jackson water treatment plant, which uses a series of drinking water wells—called wellfields—to provide water to around 33,000 customers. These wells are between 380-385 feet deep. Water from several wells is blended at the plant before being distributed to residents. The city is currently conducting quarterly monitoring of the treated drinking water. In 2024 the city of Jackson received funding from EGLE to conduct a feasibility study to determine if it’s feasible to drill new drinking water wells in another area and eventually abandon the current wellfield. As of 2026 the study is on-going. The Grand River is located less than 0.25 miles north of the property.