Test results on water samples collected in late July indicate the possibility of contamination near the Deerfield Filtration Plant intake.
The results show the possible presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acids, or PFOS, in surface water near the intake. However, tests also determined that PFOS were not currently present in finished drinking water produced by the plant, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
The agency plans to continue monitoring drinking water supplies in nearby areas, and will retest drinking water in Adrian, Deerfield, Blissfield, Frenchtown and Monroe. The agency says there currently is no evidence to indicate contamination in those water supplies. Previous testing over the past year has at no point indicated the presence of contamination in these public water systems. EGLE tests all public water systems for contaminants on a monthly basis.
State Sen. Dale Zorn (R-Rainsville Township)
State Sen. Dale Zorn (R-Rainsville Township) says although there is no indication of problems with drinking water supplies, he wants the agency to work hard to find the cause of the possible contamination.
"Municipal water plants upstream and downstream of the river basin should have an aggressive investigation to locate the cause," Zorn said.
State Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) agrees that a thorough investigation is required.
"I am going to continue working hard every day to get answers from the state about what happened, seek firm plans about what the experts plan to do next, and to keep a close eye on the cleanup efforts to make sure we all get access to the clean natural resources we need and deserve," Kahle said.
Kahle also points out that finding this contamination before it entered the water supply is a positive but more work remains.
“I am glad to see officials were able to find this contamination before it got into our drinking water," she said. "But today is a reminder there is no such thing as good enough."
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