PFAS

It is an abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances which are man-made chemicals used in metal plating and a wide variety of consumer products including fire-suppressing foam, carpets, paints, polishes, waxes. stain repellents, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, and many other consumer products. They do not break down in the environment and move easily into water.

The most studied types of PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroctanesulfonic acid
(PFOS).

​Yes. The City of Monroe Water Treatment plant has regularly been tested for PFAS. Previous testing rounds of City of Monroe's water found that PFAS compounds were not detectable at the testing limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Laboratory results taken September 3rd, 2019, detected PFAS in a sample collected from EGLE’s now monthly PFOS testing of the community surface water supplies. City of Monroe and Frenchtown Charter Township share the same Lake Erie water intakes as a source.

• The City of Monroe water system results from 09/03/19 show that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had 2 parts per trillion (ppt) and 15 parts per trillion (ppt), totaling 17 ppt found in the water.
• The total Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from 09/03/19 found in the water was 23 ppt.

 

​City of Monroe water is safe to drink.  With the information available at this time, and the test results received from EGLE, there is no reason to believe the water is unsafe to drink.

• City of Monroe water test results from 09/03/19 are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lifetime health advisory (LHA) of 70 part per trillion (ppt, equal to 70 ng/L) for PFOA and PFOS combined, or individually if only one is present.
• Previous testing of City of Monroe's water found that PFAS compounds were not detectable at the testing limit set by the EPA.
  
  

Updated sample test results can be found in the document container at the top of this page.

If you have questions regarding PFAS in the City, please contact the Monroe Water Department at 734-384-9150.

Previous testing of City of Monroe's water found that PFAS compounds were not detectable at the testing limit set by the EPA.

​In a July 29th sample at the Deerfield Filtration Plant, on the River Raisin in Deerfield, Michigan, EGLE detected a spike in PFAS readings that instigated public water systems testing in the River Raisin watershed. These same systems were also tested last year by EGLE as part of its state-wide sampling effort and none of them showed significant PFAS contamination. Since the reported spike near Deerfield, sites downstream in the River Raisin Watershed and now along Lake Erie have recorded spiked PFAS levels as the contaminate makes its way through the watershed and out to Lake Erie.

Up-to-date PFAS sample test results can be found in the document container at the top of this page.  The document will be updated as soon as test results are received.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a lifetime health advisory (LHA) level for two PFAS in drinking water, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The LHA level is 70 parts per trillion (the equivalent of one grain of sand in an Olympic-size swimming pool) for PFOA and PFOS combined, or individually if only one is present.


70 parts per trillion is the level, or amount, below which no harm is expected from these chemicals, based on daily consumption over a lifetime. The State of Michigan has indicated their intent to regulate PFAS and develop a maximum contaminant level by October 2019. City staff will be following the regulatory process.

​The City of Monroe Water Department strives to provide clean, safe drinking water to our customers. We are currently optimizing treatment and evaluating technology to reduce or eliminate PFAS exposure from our water.

For health related questions, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) at 1-800-648-6942 or visit one of the websites below.

For information on PFAS including possible health outcomes, visit these websites:

• State of Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) website serving as the main resource for public information on PFAS contamination in Michigan www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) website including health information, exposure, and links to additional resources www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas 
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) website including basic information, U.S. EPA actions, and links to informational resources www.epa.gov/pfas
  
  

Local residents who are concerned about the findings, have questions about the process going forward or would like to share their concerns may contact the Monroe Water Department at 734-384-9150.

Both granular activated carbon (GAC) and reverse osmosis (RO) filters can reduce PFAS substances. Both systems provide less water flow than a standard water faucet.

Check out the State of Michigan's in-home water filtration system recommendations.