To collect surface water and fish tissue samples to determine the need for fish consumption advisories, locate sources of PFAS contamination, and determine if source mitigation reduces PFAS levels in Michigan’s watersheds.
The Surface Water Workgroup consists of representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE), Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD) and Water Resources Division (WRD) and representatives from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Department of Natural Resource (MDNR), Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MDVMA).
Surface water PFAS monitoring was conducted in Little Bay de Noc, St. Clair River, Boardman and Charlevoix Rivers, Betsie and Platte Rivers, Muskegon River, Grand River, River Raisin, and Thunder Bay River Watersheds. Across these eight watersheds, 702 surface water samples were collected for PFAS analysis. Across the state, 1,973 fish tissue samples, comprising 31 species of fish, were collected from 119 locations to examine PFAS in 68 water bodies. EGLE staff finished a new report assessing the impact of contaminants of mutual concern in Lake Huron, which evaluated persistent chemicals in prey fish consumed by the fish-eating birds of Michigan (EGLE Report # MI/EGLE/WRD-25/023).
Surface water PFAS monitoring was conducted in the Clinton River, Huron River, Manistee River, Pere-Marquette and White Rivers, Flint River, and Grand River Watersheds. Across these six watersheds, 299 surface water samples were collected for PFAS analysis. The Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program collected 1,385 fish samples, from 32 species of fish, from 85 locations to examine PFAS in 63 water bodies.
Surface water PFAS monitoring conducted in several watersheds: Lake St. Clair Shoreline, the Grand, Menominee, Pine, Red Cedar, and Tittabawassee Rivers. Derived human health surface water quality values for PFNA and PFHxS. A POCIS passive sampler study was conducted in Grass Lake. In fiscal year 2023, EGLE collected 504 samples from Michigan surface waters and 1,772 fish samples for PFAS analysis.
Surface water PFAS monitoring conducted in several watersheds: Pere Marquette-White, Tahquamenon, Two-Hearted, Au Sable, Black River, Muskegon, and the Grand Rivers. POCIS study was conducted in Plaster Creek of the Grand River watershed. Derived human health/aquatic life surface water quality values for PFBS and updated the human health surface water quality value for PFOA. In fiscal year 2022, EGLE collected 523 samples from Michigan surface waters and 960 fish samples for PFAS analysis.
Surface water PFAS monitoring conducted in the several watersheds: Keweenaw Waterway, Clinton, Shiawassee, Saginaw, Black (Gogebic County), Grand, Munuscong, Paw Paw, Macatawa, Rouge, Escanaba, Flint, Salmon-Trout, Sturgeon, Misery, Chocolay, and Tobacco Rivers. POCIS study was conducted in the Flint River. In fiscal year 2021, EGLE collected 723 samples from Michigan surface waters and 947 fish samples for PFAS analysis.
Surface water PFAS monitoring surveys conducted in the Pigeon River, Shiawassee River, Mona Lake, Ecorse River, Frank and Poet Drain, Bear River (Pellston), Huron River, Portage Creek (Kalamazoo), and the Burt Lake watersheds. POCIS study was conducted in the Huron River. In fiscal year 2020, EGLE collected 617 samples from Michigan surface waters and 763 fish samples for PFAS analysis.
Intensive surface water PFAS monitoring surveys were conducted in the Black (St. Clair County), Saginaw, Grand, and Thornapple Rivers watersheds, and additional sampling was conducted in 18 other watersheds. Statewide monitoring of PFAS concentrations at randomly selected locations began. In fiscal year 2019, EGLE collected 626 samples from Michigan surface waters and 911 fish samples for PFAS analysis. An approach for citizens and EGLE staff to report foam complaints electronically was developed (MiWaters Spill/Incident/Pollution form) to help guide future monitoring decisions. PFAS in lake ice collected from Van Etten Lake in 2019 and 2020 was investigated for PFAS after citizen complaints.
Intensive surface water PFAS monitoring surveys were conducted in the River Raisin, Huron River, Kalamazoo River, Rogue River, and St. Joseph River watersheds, and additional sampling was conducted in 6 other watersheds. In fiscal year 2018, EGLE collected 232 samples from Michigan surface waters and 773 fish samples for PFAS analysis.
Surface water PFAS monitoring continued in the Flint watershed, began in the Clinton River watershed, and additional sampling was conducted in 6 other watersheds. In fiscal year 2017, EGLE collected 40 samples from Michigan surface waters and 189 fish samples for PFAS analysis.
Conducted an initial survey of PFAS in the Flint River watershed.
Derived human health/aquatic life surface water quality values for PFOS.
Conducted initial statewide PFAS reconnaissance survey.
Derived human health/aquatic life surface water quality values for PFOA.
Left to right: EGLE staff in the fish collection vessel; EGLE staff holding a large fish for sampling; EGLE staff collecting surface water sample with a pipette; fish laying out on a table for measurements before processing 
Left to right: fish on ice as part of the fish sample collection process; EGLE staff holding a single fish during collection; EGLE staff holding two fish during collection process 
Left to right: EGLE staff holding a fish on a boat during the collection process; a closeup of a crawfish held in a hand; EGLE staff holding a large fish while out collecting; EGLE staff pipetting surface water into test tubes during a collection event 
Left to right: EGLE staff holds a cage to be prepped for a fish cage study; EGLE staff post with the fish cage before positioning; EGLE staff check the fish cage Kevin Cox, CoxK12@Michigan.gov
