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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Romulus, Wayne 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

Eric Larsen, LarsonE5@Michigan.gov or 586-255-6196.

Background

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport located at 8600 Merriman Road opened on September 4, 1930. The Army took control of the airport during WWII and in 1947 Wayne County regained control of the airport. The County expanded the commercial airport footprint to four square miles in the late 1940's. Detroit Metro continues to operate as a commercial airport and is a major hub for Delta Airlines.

Based on historical use of AFFF on the airport property, the airport received a MDOT grant and hired Limno Tech to conduct a subsurface investigation on the airport property. EGLE received PFAS soil and groundwater results in September of 2021.

Groundwater flow is unknown. Pervious surface water sampling indicated exceedances of water quality criteria.

Content posted September 2021.

ARFF map

See an aerial view of the ARFF of the site.

Expand the map

FFTA map

See an aerial view of the FFTA of the site.

Expand the map

Drinking water

The Wayne County Health Department identified four possible drinking water wells within a mile of the airport. EGLE identified the wells were on undeveloped land and a closed golf course. Therefore, there are no known drinking water wells within a mile of the airport. Great Lakes Water Authority provides drinking water to the area.

Anticipated activities

At the end of September 2021, a meeting will be held between EGLE, airport, and the airport's consultant to discuss next steps in the investigation. The airport's consultant will continue to investigate onsite PFAS groundwater and surface water contamination on the airport property.

Historical timeline

    • On September 7, 2021, the airport's consultant submitted their first phase groundwater investigation report to EGLE.  Three groundwater samples were collected during the first phase.  The highest result was 730,000 ppt for PFOS.

    Sampling Results Summary

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled (or Range)

    Number of Sample Results Received

    Number of Samples Above Criteria*

    Type of Sample

    Date Sampled (or Range)

    Number of Sample Results Received

    Number of Samples Above Criteria*

    Groundwater Monitoring Wells

    April 2021 3 3
    Surface Water August 11, 2020 3 2

    *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. 

           Sampling Notes

    • Only the three closest surface water results to GLE collected 41 surface water samples along both branches of the Ecorse River and the Frank & Poet Drain.  The two highest results came from surface water drains near the Detroit Metro Airport.