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Eastern St. Clair County AOI (Formally Fort Gratiot AOI) (Fort Gratiot Township, St. Clair County)

Eastern St. Clair County AOI (Formally Fort Gratiot AOI) (Fort Gratiot Township, St. Clair County)

Michigan is investigating the presence of PFAS in drinking water supplies, groundwater, lakes, streams, and at sites of known environmental contamination. State officials began investigating PFAS in Fort Gratiot Township near the closed Fort Gratiot Landfill in late 2018. This investigation led to sampling in nearby streams and drains. Elevated levels of PFAS were found in several drains and warrants further investigation.

There is no evidence of any impact on municipal drinking water. Fort Gratiot Township receives drinking water from the city of Port Huron water system. This water has been tested multiple times and PFAS have not been detected.

There is currently no data to suggest a risk to public health from ingestion of or dermal contact with surface water or negative impacts on recreational bodies of water used for fishing, swimming, and boating in the township. However, water in drainage ditches contains runoff from farmland, roads, and parking lots and is generally of poor quality. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends hand washing and rinsing pets with fresh water if they contact water from drainage ditches or storm water retention ponds. Due to elevated PFOS detected in sunfish, it is recommended that no one should eat any fish out of William P. Thompson Pond in Port Huron Township until further notice. There are signs posted at the pond to let people know not to eat the fish.

Content updated July 2024.

  • Fish collection and sampling results

    Find information on the fish we have collected or plan to collect to test for PFAS and other contaminants

PFAS investigations at related industrial sites of interest

  • Initial source investigation efforts conducted by EGLE in the Ft. Gratiot Area of Concern resulted in additional investigations at two industrial sites located in Port Huron.
  • EGLE investigated paper sludge (solid waste generated by paper manufacturing) land application as a potential source of PFAS to surface waters.  Techni-Comp (Composting Specialists), Inc. located at 4152 Dove Road, Port Huron, Michigan, was identified as being the receptor of paper sludge from a paper manufacturing facility, Domtar - Port Huon Mill (Domtar) starting in 1998.  A site inspection was conducted on November 21, 2019, by EGLE.  EGLE issued a Violation Notice to Techni-Comp (Composting Specialists), Inc. on February 27, 2020, for violations associated with Solid Waste Management and Water Resources Protection Rules.
  • Due to the site investigation at Techni-Comp (Composting Specialists), Inc, EGLE issued a letter to Domtar on February 19, 2020, voiding the inert designation of the paper mill sludge. 
  • Domtar was directed to discontinue sending paper mill sludge to Techni-Comp (Composting Specialists), Inc.  Domtar is now disposing of paper mill sludge at Smith's Creek Landfill.
  • On November 3, 2021, Techni-Comp (Compositing Specialists), Inc. became an MPART Site. More information about the ongoing investigation can be found on the Techni-Comp page.

Anticipated activities

  • EGLE will continue to sample fish from selected waterbodies within the County and provide results to the MDHHS as available.
  • EGLE will continue to determine the source(s) of PFAS in the streams and drains.
  • EGLE will continue to work with the MDHHS and the St. Clair County Health Department to review new information as it becomes available and determine whether additional residential well sampling is necessary.

EGLE site lead

Anne Tavalire, TavalireA@Michigan.gov or 248-508-1102.

Historical timeline

  • 2019

    • EGLE has conducted several rounds of sampling to evaluate the presence of PFAS in surface waters (streams and drains) in this area. In 2018 and 2019, a total of 209 surface water samples were collected. The PFOS concentrations in these samples ranged from non-detect (<0.2 parts per trillion) to 11,000 parts per trillion (ppt). Overall, results suggest that some surface waters in the area have elevated levels of PFAS, specifically PFOS.  
    • In 2019, Bluegill and Sunfish were sampled from Fort Gratiot Pond at McIntyre Park as part of the statewide Eat Safe Fish Program. This is a catch and release pond. The fish samples were tested for various contaminants including PFOS. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results. MDHHS issued consumption guidelines for Bluegill and Sunfish due to mercury levels measured in the fish being higher than the statewide mercury average.
    • Two drinking water wells near the Fort Gratiot Landfill (one residential well and one well at the St. Clair Drain Commission garage) were sampled for PFAS in November 2018 and April 2019. The results for both wells were non-detect for all PFAS tested.
    • EGLE, working with St. Clair County Health Department, identified 2 additional residential wells for sampling in November 2019. Both wells sampled were non-detect for all PFAS tested.
    • In December 2019, EGLE sampled a residential well located near a field investigation site. The results were non-detect for all PFAS tested.
    • In December 2019, EGLE confirmed one source of PFAS to surface waters in this area. The source was an agricultural field that received industrially-impacted biosolids from the Port Huron Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in the 1980s. Testing confirmed elevated PFAS levels, specifically PFOS, in soils and surface water where the industrially-impacted biosolids were applied. The levels of PFOS in surface water correspond to levels seen in prior surface water sampling events. Sampling results are summarized in the report linked below.
      • Evaluation of Port Huron Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Biosolids Land Application Fort Gratiot Agricultural Field Parcel ID 74-20-019-1007-01
    • On December 19, 2019, EGLE collected surface water samples in the Howe-Brandymore Drain, Doe Creek, Galbraith Drain and Burtch Creek drainages to further identify possible sources for elevated PFOS levels in some water bodies. Sampling results are summarized in the report linked below.

  • 2020

    • On February 18, 2020, Bluegill were collected from a Fort Gratiot pond on Parker Road. The fish samples were tested for various contaminants including PFOS. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On August 20, 2020, EGLE collected additional surface water samples in the Doe Creek, Rattle Run, Sheldon Drain, Belle River, Milwaukee Creek, Galbraith Drain, Kettle Creek (proposed name), Brace Drain, Pine River and Burtch Creek drainages. These sample locations are near other agricultural fields that received applications of industrially-impacted biosolids prior to 1990. EGLE has put together a summary report for this sampling event.  
    • On October 14, 2020, EGLE collected Rock Bass from the Howe Drain and two locations on the Black River. The fish samples were tested for various contaminants including PFOS. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results. 

    Historical Sampling Table: PFOS and PFOA Only

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled

    Number of Wells Sampled to Date

    Number of Well Results Received

    Number of Non-detects

    Number Between Non-detect and Standard*

    		 Number of >Standard
    Drinking Water (Residential Wells) Nov 2018 - Dec 2019 5 5 5 0 0
    Groundwater 2018 - 2019 49 49 17 16 16
    Surface Water 2018 - 2019 209 209 17 142 50
    Cumulative
    		263 263 39 158 66

    * Groundwater results are compared to EGLE Part 201 Criteria of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.
    * Surface water samples are compared to Rule 57 non-drinking water values of 12 ppt for PFOS and 12,000 ppt for PFOA.
     * Residential well results are compared to the EPA LHA of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.

    Sampling notes

    • On August 3, 2020, new Part 201 Criteria went into effect.  Historical sampling data compared to the Part 201 Criteria >70 ppt is captured in the historical timeline above. 

  • 2021

    • On May 6, 2021, EGLE collected additional surface water samples in Doe Creek, Rattle Run, Milwaukee Creek, Kettle Creek (proposed name), Pine River, and Burtch Creek drainages to further identify possible sources for elevated PFOS levels in some water bodies. EGLE has put together a summary report for this sampling event.  As more information is learned additional testing of fields, surface waters, etc., may be conducted to confirm and/or rule out sources. 
    • On September 29 and 30, 2021, EGLE and MDHHS sampled 17 residential wells. One well had a PFOS detection of 4.9 ppt but the well is no longer used for drinking water. The other 16 wells were non-detect for all PFAS tested.

    Sampling Results Summary

    Historical sampling chart reflects data compared to Part 201 Criteria effective 8/3/2020.

    This chart reflects data received after 8/3/2020. Data prior to 8/3/2020 is reflected in the timeline above. The table is no longer being updated as information is captured in text or the sampling summaries included on this page.

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled (or Range)

    Number of Sample Results Received

    Number of Samples above Criteria*
    Groundwater Monitoring Wells N/A N/A N/A
    Residential Wells September 2021 17 0
    Surface Water 2020 - 2021 44 20
    * Residential well and groundwater monitoring well results are compared to EGLE Part 201 criteria for 7 PFAS compounds effective 12/21/2020:  PFOS (16 ppt), PFOA (8 ppt), PFNA (6 ppt), PFHxS (51 ppt), PFHxA (400,000 ppt), PFBS (420 ppt), and HFPO-DA (370 ppt).
    * Surface water samples are compared to Rule 57 non-drinking water values of 12 ppt for PFOS and 12,000 ppt for PFOA. 

  • 2022

    • As a result of the identification of an agricultural field in December 2019 as a source of PFAS to surface waters in the area, EGLE conducted an extensive review of historical land application records from the Port Huron WWTP to evaluate additional fields that may have received industrially-impacted biosolids from the WWTP prior to 1990. EGLE also conducted interviews with current landowners near locations of previous surface water samples with elevated PFOS results, to gather additional information on historical biosolids use, agricultural field management, crop rotation patterns, etc. The goal was to identify if additional soil and surface water sampling was needed and if so, to gain access from current landowners.
    • On July 19, 2022, Rock Bass were collected from Burtch Creek. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On July 26, 2022, Rock Bass were collected from the Black River at Applegate Road. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On October 4, 2022, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Redhorse Sucker, and Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass were collected from the Black River. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On May 18, 2022, EGLE collected 30 surface water samples from various locations throughout the Black River Watershed. There were no exceedances of the Rule 57 non-drinking water values at the time for PFOS, PFOA, and PFBS.

  • 2023

    • On April 10 and 11, 2023, EGLE collected soil and drain tile samples on a second agricultural field that received industrially impacted biosolids in the 1980s from the Port Huron WWTP. EGLE also collected surface water samples from Doe Creek, Brandymore Drain, Burtch Creek drainages and unnamed drainages to further identify potential sources for elevated PFOS. Testing confirmed elevated PFAS levels, specifically PFOS, in soils and surface water where the industrially impacted biosolids were applied. Sampling results are summarized in the report linked below.
    • On July 25, 2023, Redear Sunfish were collected from William. P. Thompson Pond in Port Huron Township. Fish were collected at this location as part of a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant EGLE received to assess contaminants in fish from water bodies with youth fishing events near Environmental Justice areas. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results. Due to the elevated PFOS levels, it is recommended that fish should not be consumed from William P. Thompson Pond.
    • On July 21, 2023, Bluegill, Crappie, and Rock Bass were collected from the Pine River. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On September 13, 2023, Bluegill, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch were collected at the mouth of the Belle River. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On September 28, 2023, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass, Freshwater Drum, and Common Carp were collected from the St. Clair River in Port Huron. See the fish sampling information section for the PFOS results.
    • On October 4, 2023, the MDHHS, working with the St. Clair County Health Department, sampled 19 residential wells due to the proximity to elevated levels of PFOS in the surface water and the estimated groundwater flow direction. The results were non-detect for all PFAS tested.

  • 2024

    • As a result of the elevated PFOS levels in fish from William. P. Thompson Pond in Port Huron Township, on May 29, 2024, EGLE collected surface water samples to investigate possible sources of PFAS to the pond. Additional surface water samples were collected from Kettlewell Pond and two other unnamed ponds for their proximity to known PFAS areas in Fort Gratiot and Kimball Townships to inform future work by the EGLE Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program. Sampling results are summarized in the report linked below.
     

  • 2025