Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.
Brent Ritchie, RitchieB1@Michigan.gov or 616-581-1782.
This site has operated as an airport since the 1960s and from then until the mid-1990s, federally required firefighting training activities were performed on-site on the northeast side of the property at the former firefighting training area (FFTA) using PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). Training has occurred at other airports since the mid-1990s. Lesser volumes (10-15 gallons) of AFFF have been used annually at the “ARFF and Ramp 5” pad locations to test firefighting response equipment. AFFF use locations (FFTA, ARFF, Ramp 5) exist within the Outfall 011 drainage area. Storm water collected in the Outfall 011 drainage area flows through a permitted natural treatment system (NTS) designed to treat storm water from airfield de-icing & anti-icing areas and is then discharged to the Thornapple River. The approximate locations of two confirmed emergency response events where AFFF was used have also been identified at Taxiway D and Runway 26L.
A thick layer of clay beneath the FFTA investigation area was found between the surface and deep groundwater. Deep (beneath clay layer) groundwater flow direction in the FFTA investigation area is north/northeast. Shallow (above clay layer) perched groundwater has been identified in the FFTA investigation area. Storm water drainage flows to multiple locations off airport property toward either the Thornapple River (east) or Plaster Creek (west). Stormwater, in the vicinity of the FFTA, ARFF, and Ramp 5, drains toward the Thornapple River.
Content posted October 2022.
Most homes in Cascade Township neighborhoods east and northeast of airport property are supplied with well water. 28 residential wells have been tested by GFIA; 22 independent residential well test results have been communicated to EGLE. For additional information on residential well testing and results, visit the Frequently Asked Questions. EGLE has sampled all municipal water supplies for PFAS. View the results for the city of Grand Rapids.
City of Grand Rapids and Cascade Township will design and plan municipal water expansion project. EGLE and GFIA will continue negotiations for entering into an Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) to address violations under Part 201 cited in EGLE compliance communications. GFIA will execute their EGLE PFAS investigation grant with an end date of September 15, 2024.
