Related — MI officials hesitate to call Parchment’s drinking water ‘safe’
“PARCHMENT, MI — Officials announced Monday that customers can use Parchment’s municipal water system.
A drinking water advisory was issued on July 26 after toxic per- and polyfluorinated substances were found entering the Parchment water supply at levels 20 times greater than a state and federal health standard. One month later, on Aug. 27, the Kalamazoo Department of Health and Community Services lifted the advisory.
Contaminated groundwater wells were disconnected. The city of Kalamazoo connected water mains to provide water to Parchment…
Levels of the toxic compounds are still present in homes connected to the water system, which includes residences in Parchment and Cooper Township.
Tests for PFOS and PFOA, two compounds among a larger collection of PFAS substances linked to various health risks in adults and children, found levels below the EPA lifetime health advisory of 70 parts per trillion.
Rounds of testing began after contaminated Parchment water was flushed and Kalamazoo started supplying water. PFOS and PFOA were found up to 42 ppt, and sum of all PFAS compounds were found at levels between 10-77 ppt.
Results from Aug. 15 samples, the most recent provided to MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette found 6-8 ppt of PFOS and PFOA. Results from Aug. 15 samples showed 24-33 ppt of total PFAS.
Filters are being installed for private well-owners in Parchment and Cooper Township starting Monday…
Thursday, MDEQ released results from 50 tests taken to find per- and polyfluorinated compounds, known collectively as PFAS, lingering after the Parchment water system was flushed of highly contaminated water. State and local officials said on Aug. 23 that more data is needed to show there is a downward trend of contamination.
Parchment was among the first systems to return results as part of the $1.7 million statewide initiative, which the DEQ says reached its midway point this week. So far, Parchment is the only municipal supply where levels greater than 70 ppt were found.
Low levels of PFAS were also found in Kalamazoo drinking water. PFOS and PFOA were found at 18 ppt and 19 ppt.
Two Kalamazoo baseload stations feeding Parchment’s water system found total PFAS between 9-19 ppt.
According to statewide results released this week, Kalamazoo’s levels are the second highest thus far for total PFAS.
Total PFAS readings in treated water from tests on June 15 showed 72-ppt and 69-ppt in two water stations used during peak flow periods.”
Read the full article by Malachi Barrett