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Hillsboro Avenue Area of Interest (Grand Rapids, Kent County)
Disclaimer
Web content may not routinely be updated on this page. Please contact the EGLE Lead for the most up-to-date status of the site.
Content posted April 2023.
EGLE Lead
Brent Ritchie, RitchieB1@Michigan.gov or (616) 581-1782.
Background
A homeowner on Hillsboro Avenue SE tested their drinking water well independently and results showed PFAS levels exceeded criteria for PFOA. These results were shared with the local and state health departments and EGLE. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) resampled this home in late September 2022 to confirm the previous independent sampling results. Sampling results were received in November 2022 and showed levels of PFOA at 9.1 ppt (compared to 8 ppt). EGLE staff sampled four nearby homes from in February 2023. Three of the five drinking water wells exceeded criteria for either PFOA or PFOS. The highest results were 15 ppt PFOA and 20 ppt PFOS (compared to 16 ppt). There are no known PFAS sources in the immediate residential area, however, potential industrial/commercial sources in the greater area are being investigated.
Groundwater flow direction is unknown but estimated to be to the east toward the Thornapple River, which is located approximately ¾ miles away.
Drinking Water Information
Most of the residents in the area are on private drinking water wells and additional well sampling is proposed. Municipal water is available in some portions of the surrounding area and details on location and extent of municipal water services are being determined.
Anticipated Activities
In order to determine the extent of PFAS in drinking water in the investigation area, additional residential well sampling will occur in the spring of 2023.