Read the full article by Brad Devereaux (MLive)
“KALAMAZOO, MI — The airport where PFAS foam spilled into Kalamazoo’s sewer system in March has changed to a new type of foam, which also contains PFAS, according to a city of Kalamazoo official.
Tests of samples taken about a month after the March 30 spill at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport show that levels of PFAS are still above the allowable limit in Kalamazoo wastewater system, said James Baker, director of Kalamazoo’s Department of Public Services, said on Friday, May 7.
There is about a 7- to 10-day lag in the time the samples are taken until officials know the results, he said.
Contractors and city crews were working Friday in the area of the airport to flush sewers three times, and clean and rinse them, Baker said.
The cleaning goes from the source of the spill and includes some sewers nearby. Workers were out in the area of East Kilgore Road east of Portage Street Friday morning, Baker said, estimating it would take 24 hours or more to complete.
Airport Director Craig Williams could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. Williams said previously that the Federal Aviation Administration has not approved an alternative firefighting foam for airports to use that does not contain PFAS.
The spill posed no danger to drinking water supplies, the city has said.
City of Kalamazoo officials were told 200 gallons of foam was accidentally released in an apparatus bay at the airport.
City officials have met with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, and airport personnel. They are working cooperatively to address changes, Baker said…”