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Oakland County International Airport (Waterford, Oakland County)

Oakland County International Airport (Waterford, Oakland County)

Disclaimer: Web content may not be routinely updated on this page.

Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.

EGLE site lead

Ira Adolphues, Adolphuesi@Michigan.gov or 586-295-6682.

Background

Oakland County International Airport, located at 6500 Patterson Parkway, was originally developed for the city of Pontiac in 1930 and was later acquired by Oakland County in 1967.  In 1965, the airport received its first Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck that contained 400 gallons of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF).  Prior to 1996, the AFFF usage records were lost.  Between 1996 and 2019, AFFF was used in seven incidents, and in March of 2020 an accidental release of AFFF occurred during nozzle certification, all occurring on the airport property.  Based on historical use of AFFF on the airport property, the airport received a grant in the fall of 2020 to conduct a PFAS investigation on the airport property.  Work was completed and in 2026 the airport was awarded another grant to continue groundwater monitoring and testing of PFAS for delineation, equipment cleanout and replacement, and a feasibility for remediation.

Groundwater flows in the southeasterly direction.

Content updated July 2026.

Oakland County International Airport groundwater surface elevation map

Groundwater map

See an aerial view of the groundwater of the site.

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Oakland County International Airport Monitor Well Locations map

Site map

See an aerial view of the location of the site.

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Drinking water

Over the last five years, EGLE and DHHS have sampled a total of 54 of 116 homes targeted near the airport.  Six homes had no detections, 37 had detections of PFAS below criteria and 11 homes were above criteria.  Homes with detections and exceedances were offered PFAS filters.  In January and February 2026, MDHHS resampled 32 of the 116 homes, plus sampled two more homes for the first time.  No additional sampling is anticipated. 

PFAS filters are used as an interim measure to ensure the protection of public health for homes with private wells.  Once the source and extent of the contamination is determined then a feasibility study can be done to look at the economic feasibility of various long-term options such as municipal water or installing deeper residential wells.

Historical timeline

    • In May 2021, the consultant for the airport began the PFAS investigation collecting eight groundwater samples. 
    • On June 2, 2021, EGLE's contractor collected drinking water samples from 12 of the 24 homes and business identified during the first phase of residential well sampling.  PFAS was detected in 11 wells; only one well exceeded the PFOA criteria of 8 ppt with a detection of 10 ppt.  
    • On June 24, 2021, the airport's consultant submitted the results from the groundwater investigation that began in April.  Six of the eight samples collected exceeded groundwater clean-up criteria for PFAS.  The highest result was 4,800 ppt for PFOS.
    • On August 5, 2021, EGLE's contractor collected drinking water samples from 16 of 18 homes targeted during the second phase of residential well sampling. All 16 of the sampled wells had detections of PFAS with five wells exceeding criteria.
    • On April 1, 2022, the airport’s consultant submitted the results from the groundwater investigation.  Seven of the right samples collected exceeded groundwater clean-up criteria for PFAS.  The highest result was 4,800 ppt for PFOS.
    •  In July 2023, EGLE’s contractor collected drinking water samples from 26 of the 39 homes that were resampled for PFAS.  This would be the third round of residential well sampling.  Water samples were collected pre and post filter.  Two homes have detections of PFAS, but no exceedances in criteria.  
    • On October 31, 2023, the airport’s consultant submitted the results from the groundwater investigation.  Fifteen of the 22 samples collected exceeded groundwater clean-up criteria for PFAS.  The highest result was 11,000 ppt for PFOS.
     
    • On January 10, 2024, EGLE's contractor collected drinking water samples 13 of the 31 homes targeted during the third phase of residential well sampling south of the airport. Ten residential wells detected PFAS below drinking water criteria, three wells had no detection of PFAS, and three wells detected PFAS exceeding criteria of the sampled wells had detections of PFAS with five wells exceeding criteria.
    • On June 3, 2024, EGLE’s contractor collected drinking water samples from two of the seven homes targeted during phase four of residential well sampling south of the airport.  The two residential drinking water wells detected PFAS compounds below criteria.
    • On January 15, 2025, EGLE’s contractor collected drinking water samples from seven of the 31 homes targeted during the phase four of residential well sampling south of the airport.  The two residential drinking water wells detected PFAS compounds below criteria.
    • In January and February 2026, MDHHS sampled 35 of the 116 homes targeted as part of the resampling event.  PFAS was detected in all 35 drinking water wells with ten wells exceeding drinking water criteria.
    • On May 31, 2026, the airport submitted their final investigation report to wrap up their PFAS investigation grant.  An offsite investigation included the installation of two wells: One on eastbound Highland Road (MW26-18) and one southbound on Airport Road (MW26-17).  The highest result was 116 ppt for PFHxS.