The City was recently made aware by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy that it has detected elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in groundwater at the Lacks Barden Plating Facility at 4080 and 4090 Barden Drive SE. This facility is located in an industrial part of our community.
All nearby businesses and all but one of the nearby homes receive their drinking water from the city of Grand Rapids, which continues to test nondetect for PFAS. There is one residential drinking water well in this area that is slated to be sampled.
The EPA notes that PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly over time. PFAS are found in water, air, fish and soil at locations across the nation and the globe. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
We have been in communication with EGLE, Lacks and the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, or MPART. We look forward to learning more from EGLE and MPART and will share their information on our website and on social media.
General Information
- City of Grand Rapids Water Quality Report
- Michigan PFAS Action Response Team
- PFAS 101
- PFAS videos
- EPA PFAS resources
4080 and 4090 Barden Drive SE