On July 25, 2023, Redear Sunfish were collected from William. P. Thompson Pond in Port Huron Township. The results indicated a PFOS range of 38.2 - 545.2 parts per billion (ppb). 

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.

 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.

Investigation efforts

2025

•  The April 2025 sampling event was a follow up to the surface water sampling event conducted in May 2024 and the objective was to expand the investigation area to determine possible sources of PFAS to William P. Thompson Pond. 

Thompson Pond surface water sampling update (April 2025)

• It should be noted that this area falls within the Eastern St. Clair County Area of Interest. EGLE has been investigating elevated levels of PFAS in surface waters and soils throughout this area, some of which has been tracked to historical land applications and composting of industrially impacted biosolids and sludge residuals from PFAS use associated with paper industry.

2024

• On May 29, 2024, as a result of the elevated PFOS levels in fish from William. P. Thompson Pond in Port Huron Township, 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.

Thompson Pond surface water sampling update (May 2024)