PFAS in Michigan Well Water
Michigan has the highest number of PFAS contamination sites in the nation. This is the complete guide for private well owners.
PFAS are invisible. You cannot see, taste, or smell PFAS in your water. Standard water tests do not include PFAS. You need to specifically request PFAS testing, and not all labs offer it.
The Scale of Michigan's PFAS Problem
Michigan was one of the first states to aggressively investigate PFAS contamination, and what it found was staggering. The state created the PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) in 2017 to coordinate investigation and response across agencies.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in products like non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foam. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment — or in your body.
The two most studied PFAS compounds are PFOA (used in Teflon manufacturing) and PFOS (used in Scotchgard and firefighting foam). But there are thousands of others, and science is still catching up on their health effects.
Major Contamination Sites
Parchment / Cooper Township (Kalamazoo County)
In July 2018, PFAS was discovered in Parchment's public water supply at levels far exceeding health advisories. A do-not-drink advisory was issued, and the community was eventually connected to the City of Kalamazoo's water system. The contamination was traced to industrial sources including a former paper mill. Private wells in surrounding Cooper Township were also affected.
Rockford / Plainfield Township (Kent County)
Wolverine World Wide, a shoe manufacturer in Rockford, used 3M's Scotchgard (a PFAS compound) in its tanning process for decades and disposed of PFAS-laden waste at multiple sites. The contamination affected private wells in the House Street and Belmont areas. The state has provided bottled water and filtration systems to many affected residents.
Oscoda / Wurtsmith AFB (Iosco County)
The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda used PFAS-containing firefighting foam for decades. The resulting groundwater plume has contaminated both on-base and off-base wells. This is one of the largest military PFAS contamination sites in the country, and cleanup is ongoing under federal oversight.
Other Significant Sites
- Ann Arbor area — PFAS detected in municipal and private water sources
- Grayling / Camp Grayling — Military training facility with PFAS use
- Traverse City — Former Naval Air Station legacy contamination
- Numerous airports and fire stations — Anywhere AFFF foam was used
Health Effects
Research on PFAS health effects is ongoing, but the science so far has linked PFAS exposure to:
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Thyroid disease
- Immune system effects — reduced vaccine response, especially in children
- Kidney and testicular cancer (PFOA specifically)
- Pregnancy complications — pre-eclampsia, low birth weight
- Liver damage
- Endocrine disruption
PFAS accumulate in the body over time. Unlike many contaminants that your body processes and eliminates, PFAS can take 4-8 years to reduce by half in your bloodstream. Every glass of contaminated water adds to the total burden.
Michigan's PFAS Standards
Michigan has adopted some of the strictest PFAS drinking water standards in the country:
| Compound | Michigan MCL | EPA Health Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 8 ppt | 4 ppt (2022 interim) |
| PFOS | 16 ppt | 0.02 ppt (2022 interim) |
| PFNA | 6 ppt | — |
| PFHxA | 400,000 ppt | — |
| PFHxS | 51 ppt | — |
| PFBS | 420 ppt | 2,000 ppt |
| GenX (HFPO-DA) | 370 ppt | 10 ppt (2022 interim) |
ppt = parts per trillion. For perspective, 1 part per trillion is equivalent to one drop of water in 20 Olympic swimming pools. These are extraordinarily small concentrations — which tells you how toxic these compounds are.
Testing for PFAS
PFAS testing is more complex and expensive than standard water testing:
| Test Type | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic PFAS panel (PFOA + PFOS) | $200-$400 | Tests for the two most common PFAS compounds |
| Extended PFAS panel (20-40 compounds) | $300-$600 | More comprehensive; recommended |
Not all labs offer PFAS testing — it requires specialized equipment. See our testing guide for Michigan labs with PFAS capability.
The state has provided free PFAS testing for private wells near known contamination sites. Check with your local health department or Michigan EGLE to see if your area qualifies.
Treatment Options
| Treatment | Effectiveness | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Granular activated carbon (GAC) | Good for long-chain PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) | $1,000-$3,000 whole-house; filter replacement ongoing |
| Reverse osmosis (RO) | Excellent for most PFAS compounds | $239-$600 point-of-use; $4,500+ whole-house |
| Ion exchange resin | Excellent for most PFAS | $2,000-$5,000; resin replacement needed |
Standard water filters do NOT remove PFAS. A Brita pitcher, a fridge filter, or a basic carbon filter will not adequately reduce PFAS. You need a system specifically rated for PFAS removal — look for NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification for PFOS and PFOA reduction.
Sources
- Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) — Statewide Investigation Data
- Michigan EGLE — PFAS in Michigan: Site Investigation and Cleanup
- EPA — PFAS Strategic Roadmap and Health Advisories
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) — PFAS Toxicological Profile
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — PFAS and Your Health
- USGS — PFAS in Groundwater, Great Lakes Region