The State of Michigan has started posting PFAS testing results from the statewide drinking water initiative for schools using well water. The state has created a database of PFAS results for public review. The school drinking water results are posted here. The second part of the statewide initiative involves PFAS testing of public water supplies and these results are posted here.
Drinking water sampling for the schools and public water supplies will continue through the fall. It should be noted that results are only posted for the schools and public water supplies that were sampled earlier this summer. Analytical results are posted by the State of Michigan and will continue to update in the coming months.
PFAS drinking water contamination of the Parchment water supply was detected as part of this statewide sampling initiative. Results of the Parchment water samples showed levels of PFOA and PFOS at more than 1,400 ppt (parts per trillion), more than 20 times higher than the advisory level.
Samples are being analyzed using EPA Method 537 Revision 1.1. The MDEQ established drinking water criterion for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in January. The criterion is set at 70 ppt for the combined concentration of PFOA and PFOS for both residential and non-residential drinking water. The new criterion became effective on January 10, 2018, and is part of the Part 201 generic cleanup criteria.
The new MDEQ criterion of 70 ppt is the same level as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water health advisory level, which was issued in May 2016. The U.S. EPA has yet to establish advisory levels of any of the other PFAS compounds.
Merit Laboratories is the first environmental laboratory in Michigan to achieve certification for the analysis of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Merit is ISO/IEC 17025-certified for the analysis of PFAS by two analytical methods. EPA 537 for drinking water testing and ASTM D7979 with Isotopic Dilution for testing wastewater, groundwater, and surface water. Please contact Merit Laboratories for assistance on your PFAS testing needs. We are pleased to offer guidance with sample collection container needs, compound lists, holding times, and method selection.