GRAND HAVEN, Mich. - Bottled water is being distributed at Robinson Elementary in Grand Haven after test results returned showing elevated levels of PFAS in the water supply.
The Environmental Protection Agency's safe drinking limit for PFAS in the water supply is 70 parts per trillion. Initial test results found a combined PFOS/PFOA level of 110 ppt. Total PFAS levels measured at 144 ppt.
The school uses well water, but the supply has been shut off and bottled water is being distributed through the Ottawa County Sheriff's Emergency Management Division and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Other than Robinson Elementary, all other schools in the Grand Haven Area Public School District are served by Northwest Ottawa Water System.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools posted a page on their website that explains and answers questions related to the PFAS found at Robinson Elementary. On that page, there is a letter for parents that outlines the contamination and the district's plan to ensure their student's safety.
The MDEQ is going to resample the water supply to confirm the elevated levels of PFAS. The GHAPS district will work with the MDEQ, Ottawa County Health Department, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies to determine the next steps, including the source of the contamination and a long-term plan for the water supply at the school.
Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality were at the school Monday afternoon, assessing the situation.
The PFAS contaminants were found at Robinson Elementary as a part of a statewide study of PFAS levels in groundwater. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team has tested 381 schools to date. Of that number, 266 schools had non-detectable levels of PFAS and 28 schools had levels below 70 ppt. More information about the PFAS response in Ottawa County can be found here.
If you are concerned about exposure please contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Toxicology hotline at 1-800-648-6942.
PFAS chemicals have contaminated water supplies statewide, including more than 550 private wells in northern Kent County, leaching into the ground water from waste dumped by Wolverine Worldwide, a shoe company in Rockford. Read more about how residents have been affected by the contaminants with 13 ON YOUR SIDE's Water Worries coverage.
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