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House Street Disposal Area (Belmont, Kent County)

House Street Disposal Area (Belmont, Kent County)

Disclaimer
Web content may not routinely be updated on this page. Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of the site.
Content posted July 2023.

EGLE Site Lead

Leah Gies, GiesL1@Michigan.gov or 616-215-4781.

Background

The Belmont - House Street area consists of a former licensed disposal facility owned and operated by Wolverine World Wide (Wolverine) at 1855 House Street in Plainfield Township, a suspected disposal area in the Wolven/Jewell area north of 10 Mile Road in Algoma Township, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) investigations into several citizen-reported unregulated dump sites across three townships in northern Kent County.

On February 19, 2020, the Consent Decree between the State of Michigan (Plaintiff), Plainfield and Algoma Townships (Intervening Plaintiffs) and Wolverine (Defendant) became effective and serves as the framework for all future PFAS response activities performed by Wolverine at the House Street property and surrounding area identified as the "North Kent Study Area".  Wolverine will conduct these activities under EGLE oversight, and the Consent Decree includes tools that ensure that the required work is completed.

Animation of a mouse clicking on a computer screen

North Kent Study Area Data Summary Web Map

This map displays environmental sampling data that has been collected as part of Wolverine World Wide’s and EGLE’s per-and poly fluoroalkyl (PFAS) assessment activities in the North Kent Study Area.

The data includes well, surface water, groundwater, and soil sampling results, as well as groundwater contours, parcels boundaries, and the extent of the municipal water hookups that were required under the 2020 Consent Decree within the North Kent Study Area.

Open Web Map Access Data

Recent Accomplishments

Belmont House Street Monitoring Well Installation Status Map

Next Steps

  •  Wolverine will implement the work outlined in the February 19, 2020 Consent Decree and the associated Response Activity Plans. The table below summarizes the due dates and public comment periods of the Response Activity Plans. 
Response Activity Plan Draft Report Due to EGLE Public Meeting Date Public Comment Period EGLE Responsiveness Summary Document Date Final Response Activity Plan Submitted
Filter Operation and Maintenance (O&M) April 6, 2020 May 26, 2020 May 14 - June 13, 2020 August 5, 2020 September 16, 2020
Groundwater Surface Water Interface (GSI) April 20, 2020 May 27, 2020 May 14 - June 13, 2020 August 5, 2020 September 23, 2020
Residential Well Resampling May 4, 2020 June 23, 2020 June 11 - July 18, 2020 August 31, 2020 September 30, 2020
Groundwater Investigation - Area 5 June 18, 2020 August 18, 2020 August 6 - September 10, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 4, 2020
Groundwater Investigation - Area 6  June 18, 2020 August 18, 2020 August 6 - September 10, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 4, 2020
Groundwater Investigation - Area 11 & 12 June 18, 2020 August 18, 2020 August 6 - September 10, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 11, 2020
Groundwater Investigation - Area R-1 (19) June 18, 2020 August 18, 2020 August 6 - September 10, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 18, 2020
Perimeter Wells August 17, 2020 October 6, 2020 September 24 - October 24, 2020 November 10, 2020 December 31, 2020
House Street Disposal Site - Feasibility Study February 19, 2021 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2021 June 11, 2021 October 28, 2021
Groundwater-Surface Water Interface (GSI) Investigation Summary and Workplan April 25 2021 June 15, 2021 May 27 - July 6 2021 August 6, 2021 December 3, 2021
House Street - Cap Installation Work Plan April 26, 2022 June 21, 2022 June 9 - July 31, 2022 October 27, 2022 December 2, 2022

Municipal Water Installation

Filter Operation & Maintenance

  • Wolverine will continue the operation and maintenance of whole-house filters and point-of-use filters in the North Kent Study Area in accordance with the Consent Decree, described specifically in Section 7.5 and Appendix L, and the Filter Operation and Maintenance Response Activity Plan. 

Residential Well Testing/Alternate Water Information

  • 135 drinking water wells have been tested by EGLE; 1,545 drinking water wells have been tested by Wolverine; 42 drinking water wells have been tested by Kent County Department of Public Works.
  • Wolverine has provided 539 whole house filters and 236 point-of-use filters. Kent County Department of Public Works has provided 10 whole house filters.
  • Section 6.1 of the February 2020 Consent Decree discusses the framework for the extension of municipal water to parcels depicted and listed in Appendix I - List of Parcels and Map of Municipal Water Areas.  Learn more about updates on the Plainfield Township municipal water expansion project.
  • EGLE has sampled all municipal water supplies for PFAS, including the City of Rockford and Plainfield Charter Township. View the City of Rockford and Plainfield Charter Township results.

Upcoming Community Engagement

  •  The Wolverine Community Advisory Group (CAG) generally meets the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Information regarding upcoming virtual meetings can be found on the CAG's website, WolverineCAG.org.

Updates: Feasibility Study and Response Activity Plans

Additional Investigation Details

Stacks of files and documents with sticky notes throughout

Documents, Presentations, and Recordings
An EGLE (then DEQ) employee standing at the House Street Disposal Area in Belmont, Kent County, unearthing something unseen from the ground

Citizen Complaint Investigations
An AECOM contract employee standing at the House Street Disposal Area in Belmont, Kent County, holding a tablet

Sampling Results for Main Areas

Historical Timeline

    • On January 24, 2017, a concerned citizens group brought the former House Street disposal location to EGLE’s attention on January 24, 2017. In response to these concerns, EGLE requested that Wolverine sample residential wells.
    • In May 2017, EGLE received results from Wolverine from the requested residential well sampling. Levels of PFOA and PFOS were detected over the USEPA Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt PFOA and PFOS individually or combined.
    • In August 2017, Wolverine began its on-site groundwater investigation on the House Street Dump Site, which has expanded off-site in order to define the full extent of the PFAS contamination. This investigation is still ongoing, and more work is needed by Wolverine to fully define and monitor the plume long term.
    • In Fall/Winter 2017, per a request by the school district, the water at several Rockford Public Schools was tested. The results were non-detect.
    • Beginning in the Winter of 2017, Wolverine has been conducting off-site groundwater environmental investigations in the Wolven/Jewell source area (located north of 10 Mile and west of Wolven Ave).
    • In January 2018, EGLE filed a legal complaint against Wolverine under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and state law, including Part 201 (Environmental Remediation) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.  In the complaint, the state seeks orders that Wolverine institute protective measures to mitigate risks to public health, continue environmental investigations, address PFAS contamination in ground and surface water and pay for the state’s past and future costs associated with enforcement of state clean-up laws.
    • In late Spring 2018, Wolverine began conducting a source area investigation on the House Street site under a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Unilateral Administrate Order (UAO) to address the non-PFAS contamination and is sampling for PFAS for EGLE as part of those investigation activities.  This investigation was completed in late November 2018, with a summary report due to the agencies in late February 2019.
    • On July 31, 2018, Rockford Public Schools were tested again as part of the MPART statewide sampling efforts. Results were non-detect.
    • EGLE has provided oversight of Wolverine’s activities, conducted follow-up groundwater monitoring sampling, sampled 124 residential drinking water wells, provided residents with bottled water, investigated over 100 citizen-reported disposal locations, and in Spring 2018, began implementing a hydrogeologic groundwater investigation in the North Childsdale sampling area and areas east of the Rogue River.
    • On November 3, 2018, EGLE completed reviewing Wolverine’s revised filter operation and maintenance plan and provided comments back.
    • In late November 2018, the USEPA and EGLE released a status update factsheet, providing residents an update on the investigation and announcing the January town hall meeting.   
    • On November 21, 2018, EGLE requested Wolverine resample all residential drinking water wells in current sampling areas in a letter dated 11/21/18. Wolverine responded to this request on January 18, 2019.
    • On November 27, 2018, the MDHHS and Kent County Health Department held a Community Meeting regarding the “North Kent County PFAS Exposure Assessment.”
    • In November 2018, Wolverine completed field work for House Street and MDOT property on-site investigations (reporting due to EGLE/USEPA starting January 22, 2019). 
    • On December 10, 2018, EGLE collected whole house filter split samples with GZA, Wolverine’s consultant.
    • On January 2, 2019, Wolverine began installing a new monitoring well location in the Wolven/Jewell Area.
    • On January 10, 2019, EGLE announced that the originally scheduled January 23, 2019 joint USEPA/EGLE townhall was postponed due to the federal government shutdown.
    • On January 18, 2019, Wolverine responded to the November 21 resampling request with an alternate resampling plan, which it is currently implementing. 
    • As of January 30, 2019, Wolverine has sampled over 1,540 residential drinking water wells, provided residents with bottled water, installed 235 point-of-use filters and 536 whole-house treatment systems, removed barrels and subsurface waste at two locations near the House Street disposal site, and is implementing an environmental investigation of groundwater contamination at the House Street site and its surrounding area.
    • On February 25, 2019, Wolverine submitted a “Draft Implementation of 2018 Work Plan Summary Report” to the USEPA for review.
    • On February 28, 2019, EGLE sent Wolverine a “Notice of Expenditure of State Funds” letter.
    • On March 8, 2019, Wolverine provided a response to EGLE’s February 28 letter. Wolverine agreed to conduct drilling at 6 of the 11 proposed locations. Drilling activities for these 6 locations is scheduled to start the week of April 15, 2019.
    • On March 26, 2019, the USEPA and EGLE held a joint Town Hall at the Rockford High School Fine Arts Auditorium at 4100 Kroes Street NE, Rockford MI 49341. The Open House was from 6:00 – 6:30 pm, the Public Meeting from 6:30 – 8:00pm and time for questions held between 8:00 – 8:30pm. This meeting was originally scheduled for January 23, 2019 but was rescheduled due to the federal government shutdown. 
    • On April 29, 2019, the USEPA sent Wolverine a letter detailing the required time-critical cleanup CERLCA actions at the House Street site.
    • On May 21, 2019, Wolverine submitted their Final House Street Summary Report to USEPA (posted to USEPA website).
    • EGLE sent Wolverine a letter on June 4, 2019 requesting additional information regarding Wolverine’s drinking water well resampling efforts. Wolverine responded with a July 17, 2019 submittal.
    • Wolverine submitted the final House Street Work Plan to USEPA on July 12, 2019 (response to USEPA’s April 29, 2019 letter). This is posted on EPA’s website.  
    • On August 15, 2019, the Wolverine Community Advisory Group (CAG) held their first public meeting at the Rockford Freshmen Center.  EGLE participated and presented at this meeting. 
    • In July and August 2019, EGLE installed and sampled monitoring wells and soil borings in the Wolven-Jewell investigation area at the locations that Wolverine did not agree to install as requested in EGLE’s February 28, 2019 letter.
    • In August 2019 Wolverine completed the third-quarter groundwater sampling of monitoring wells in the House Street and Wolven/Jewell sampling areas.  
    • On September 19, 2019, the Wolverine CAG held a meeting at Plainfield Charter Township Hall.  EGLE participated in this meeting.
    • On October 8, 2019, USEPA and EGLE met with House Street residents to discuss work being conducted by Wolverine under USEPA’s order.    
    • On October 17, 2019, the Wolverine CAG held a meeting at Plainfield Charter Township Hall.  EGLE participated in this meeting.
    • In October and November 2019, Wolverine completed installing a fence around the House Street site and completed additional soil sampling on and adjoining the House Street property as outlined in their work plan. View the House Street workplan. 
    • Wolverine is in the process of completing the fourth-quarter groundwater sampling of environmental monitoring wells.
    • On November 21, 2019, the Wolverine CAG held a meeting at Plainfield Township Hall. EGLE and DHHS participated in this meeting.
    • In November 2019, Wolverine completed the fourth-quarter groundwater sampling of environmental monitoring wells.
    • On December 10, 2019, it was announced that a tentative agreement had been reached between the State, Plainfield & Algoma Townships, and Wolverine. Refer to the following press release for details: MI AG Nessel Outlines PFAS Settlement Framework for State, Plainfield & Algoma Townships, and Wolverine Worldwide.
    • On December 19, 2019, the Wolverine CAG held a meeting at Plainfield Township Hall. EGLE and DHHS participated in this meeting.
      • On January 21, February 18, March 18, and April 15,  2021, the Wolverine Community Advisory Group held an online zoom meeting. EGLE provided project updates.
      • On February 19, 2021, Wolverine submitted the Draft House Street Feasibility Study to EGLE.  
      • On March 31, 2021, EGLE hosted a virtual public meeting regarding Wolverine's Draft House Street Feasibility Study. The public comment period was held from March 11 through April 17, 2021. 
      • On April 26, 2021, Wolverine submitted the Draft Groundwater-Surface Water Interface (GSI) Investigation Summary and Work Plan as required under the Consent Decree.
      • On May 20, and June 17, 2021 the Wolverine Community Advisory Group held online Zoom meetings and EGLE provided project updates.
      • On June 15, 2021, EGLE hosted a virtual public meeting regarding Wolverine’s Draft Groundwater-Surface Water Interface (GSI) Investigation Summary and Work Plan report. EGLE held a public comment period from May 27 through July 6, 2021. The comments that EGLE received during the public comment are summarized and addressed in EGLE’s responsiveness summary document below:
      • On June 15, 2021, EGLE sent Wolverine a response letter summarizing EGLE’s denial/disapproval of the draft House Street Feasibility Study Report.
      • On September 13, 2021, Wolverine submitted for EGLE review a revised House Street Feasibility Study.
      • On October 7, 2021, EGLE sent Wolverine an approval with conditions letter detailing agency comments on the Draft GSI Investigation Summary and Work Plan report.
      • On October 28, 2021, EGLE sent Wolverine an approval letter of the September 13, 2021, revised Feasibility Study.
      • On December 3, 2021, Wolverine submitted the final GSI Investigation Summary and Work Plan Report. Wolverine will install permanent monitoring wells to monitor and better understand the groundwater PFAS concentrations that are venting into the Rogue River.

Resources

MDHHS North Kent County Exposure Assessment

Plainfield Township's Wolverine World Wide PFAS Settlement

EPA in Michigan: Wolverine World Wide Tannery

Wolverine Community Advisory Group (CAG)