State of Michigan Releases First PFAS Sampling of Drinking Water Supplies Report

The Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) has released its report detailing a massive state-wide PFAS drinking water sampling program that began in April 2018. The report, PFAS Sampling of Drinking Water Supplies, presents findings of EGLE’s sampling efforts from more than 1,700 facilities.


Merit Laboratories supported this program by providing analytical laboratory testing for PFAS using EPA 537 Rev. 1.1, as one of just two laboratories contracted. Overall, a total of 2,286 samples were collected and analyzed in the program for 14 PFAS analyses. Analytical results are summarized in the EGLE report and can be read here.


Drinking water samples were collected from both community water supplies (CWS) and non-community water supplies (NCWS). Facilities sampled included:


  • Municipalities

  • Manufactured housing communities

  • Apartment complexes

  • Subdivisions

  • Condominium developments

  • Schools

  • Daycares


According to the report, CWS and NCWS that rely on groundwater as their drinking water source had one sample collected from each point of entry. CWS that rely on surface water for their drinking water source had samples collected at two locations. For samples where PFOA and PFOS were detected exceeding 70 ng/L (ppt) for CWS or 10 ng/L for schools and daycares, confirmation samples were collected and analyzed.


The EGLE is now performing statewide PFAS sampling as Phase II of the program. Samples being collected during Phase II include non-community water supplies utilizing their own well(s), including adult foster care providers, children's camps, industry, medical care facilities, motels, offices, parks, and residential developments.


Merit is a national leading PFAS environmental laboratory, analyzing soil, wastewater, groundwater, drinking water, and other sample matrices. Merit is certified for the analysis of PFAS by ISO/IEC 17025. Analytical method certification for PFAS includes drinking water by EPA 537 rev. 1.1 and wastewater | groundwater | surface water by ASTM D7979 with Isotopic Dilution. Please contact Merit Laboratories for assistance on your PFAS testing needs.