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PUBLIC NOTICE - PFOS from Bronson Wastewater Treatment Plant

Thursday September 6, 2018

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have shared information with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency about the detection of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in the discharge from the Bronson Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The level detected was 150 ng/L which is above the allowable level of 12 ng/L. The discharge from the plant flows into Swan Creek.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has taken the following steps to understand the effect of the discharge on surface water and fish species. Fish have been harvested and surface water has been collected for testing from Swan Creek, Long Lake, Palmer Lake, and the St. Joseph River downstream of Sturgeon Lake. Test results are pending at this time. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has also met with and required that the Bronson Wastewater Treatment Plant perform monthly discharge sampling for PFOS, to identify PFOS sources, and to implement source reduction activities. The Bronson Wastewater Treatment Plant is working closely with the MDEQ to complete these items to address the PFOS in the discharge.

Residents are advised that recreational activities such as swimming and boating are not considered to be a health concern. Until testing results are back from the fish, the Michigan Eat Safe Fish guidelines are in effect for the bodies of water mentioned above.
Eat Safe Fish guidelines

Additional information regarding per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), and the response in Michigan to identify these chemicals is posted on the Michigan.gov website.
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