MPART Identifies 2 New PFAS Contamination Sites in West Michigan – Summary

Key Findings

• The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) has added two new sites in West Michigan to its list of PFAS-contaminated locations (Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)). These sites are the Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) in Allegan County and the Roto-Finish Co., Inc. site in Portage (Kalamazoo County) (Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)).

• At the Plainwell Mill OU7 site, recent groundwater testing revealed extremely high levels of PFAS, including 420 parts per trillion (ppt) of PFOA (Michigan’s drinking water limit is 8 ppt) and 350 ppt of PFOS (limit 16 ppt) (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)). These readings far exceed state safety standards, indicating significant contamination.

• The Roto-Finish site in Portage also showed PFAS contamination above legal limits. Groundwater samples there contained up to 16 ppt of PFOA, double the state’s 8 ppt limit for that chemical (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)). This confirms that both sites have contamination levels of concern in the soil and groundwater.

Sources of Contamination

• Both newly identified sites have industrial histories linked to PFAS use or release. The Plainwell Mill OU7 is part of a former paper mill and Superfund cleanup (the Allied Paper/Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River site), suggesting that past paper manufacturing operations and waste disposal contributed to PFAS leaching into the ground (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)). Decades of paper production and the handling of associated waste likely introduced PFAS (used in some paper coatings or industrial processes) into local soils and water.

• The Roto-Finish Co. site was a metal finishing equipment manufacturer, and its historic operations (deburring and polishing metal parts) are suspected to be the source of PFAS pollution there (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)). State officials reviewed the plant’s past material usage and believed PFAS-containing substances (for example, certain industrial lubricants, coatings, or possibly firefighting foams used on-site) could have been used, prompting testing (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)). In both cases, the industrial activities at these locations are the likely origin of the PFAS contamination.

• More broadly, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are human-made “forever chemicals” widely used in manufacturing, firefighting foams, and various consumer products (MPART identifies new PFAS contamination site along Grand River | WGVU NEWS). These chemicals resist breaking down, so any releases during the sites’ operational years would persist in the environment and contaminate soil and water long after the fact.

Potential Health and Environmental Impacts

• Health risks: PFAS are known to pose significant health risks. They can accumulate in the human body over time, and exposure has been linked to problems such as cancer, thyroid disorders, immune system effects, and developmental issues (MPART identifies new PFAS contamination site along Grand River | WGVU NEWS). The discovery of high PFAS levels in groundwater at these sites raises concerns for people living nearby, especially those using well water. If PFAS from the sites seep into private wells or municipal water sources, residents could be unknowingly exposed. For instance, earlier investigations in the Otsego/Plainwell area (near the Plainwell OU7 site) already found multiple residential wells with PFAS concentrations above safe drinking water standards ([ EGLE to update community on Otsego area PFAS investigation

](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDEQ/bulletins/2a8bb44#:~:text=PFAS%20compounds%20were%20found%20in,PFAS%20standards%20for%20drinking%20water)), underscoring the threat to drinking water safety.

• Environmental impacts: PFAS contamination at these sites also threatens the local environment. In Plainwell, groundwater flow is generally north and west toward the Kalamazoo River (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)), meaning the river and connected ecosystems could become contaminated as PFAS-laden groundwater migrates. PFAS in surface waters can accumulate in fish and wildlife, potentially entering the food chain. Even on land, PFAS-contaminated soil or groundwater can spread and affect a wider area over time. The Portage site’s contamination could similarly move with groundwater; while the specific flow there has shifted over the years, any PFAS plume may impact downstream wells or wetlands if not contained (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)). In summary, the presence of PFAS at these sites poses a long-term environmental hazard, and without intervention it could impact both ecosystem health and human water supplies.

Actions Taken by Authorities

• Investigation and identification: State authorities, through MPART and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), have actively investigated these sites. EGLE initiated groundwater sampling at both locations when potential problems were suspected. In the case of Roto-Finish, when the site’s owners (the potentially responsible party) declined to test for PFAS, EGLE stepped in and sampled six monitoring wells, confirming the contamination above drinking water standards (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)). Similarly, at the Plainwell OU7 site, PFAS was identified during post-cleanup monitoring by the responsible party, which triggered MPART to formally list the site for PFAS contamination (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)).

• Drinking water protections: To protect public health, officials have taken preventative measures for water supplies. Near the Roto-Finish site, three businesses located just west of the facility were proactively connected to municipal water in 2024, replacing their use of potentially affected well water (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)). This was done after tests showed some contamination in monitoring wells; by switching these properties to city water, authorities ensured that employees and customers are not drinking contaminated groundwater. After evaluating the area, EGLE and local health officials determined that no further private wells in the vicinity needed sampling at that time, implying they found no immediate exposure to residents nearby (Roto-Finish Co., Inc. (Portage, Kalamazoo County)).

• Ongoing testing and remediation plans: At the Plainwell OU7 site, even though municipal water service is available, there are **several homes with private drinking wells in the area (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)). The responsible party declined to sample these nearby residential wells, so MPART (along with EGLE, the state health department, and local health officials) is reaching out to homeowners to test their well water for PFAS (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)). This step is crucial to determine if contamination has spread beyond the site into the community’s groundwater. Additionally, the party responsible for the Plainwell site is planning to conduct another round of on-site groundwater sampling to further assess the contamination plume (Former Plainwell Mill Operable Unit 7 (OU7) (Plainwell, Allegan County)). Data from this and the residential well tests will guide any necessary cleanup or containment efforts.

• Regulatory and oversight actions: By formally listing these locations as PFAS sites, MPART has put them under enhanced oversight. This means state agencies will coordinate on response actions, monitor the sites closely, and work to hold the responsible parties accountable for cleanup. MPART’s multi-agency structure (including EGLE and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) facilitates a coordinated response – from environmental investigation to health risk assessment – and ensures local officials (like county health departments) are involved as well ([ EGLE to update community on Otsego area PFAS investigation

](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDEQ/bulletins/2a8bb44#:~:text=MPART%2C%20which%20includes%20the%20Michigan,Otsego%20area%20since%20early%202018)). Authorities have also been communicating findings to the public and local leaders so that everyone is informed and precautions can be taken promptly.

Community Responses and Implications

• Resident concerns: These new findings have significant implications for local communities already concerned about pollution. Residents in the Plainwell and Otsego area, in particular, have long voiced worries about unusual health issues – including cancers and other illnesses – which they suspect stem from decades of industrial pollution from nearby paper mills (Otsego and Plainwell residents seek answers to health issues with ...). The confirmation of PFAS at the former Plainwell mill site validates some of those concerns and has locals on alert. People are understandably anxious about their drinking water quality and may seek testing for their own wells (if not already being offered by the state) and blood screenings for PFAS exposure.

• Public demand for action: The identification of these contamination sites has prompted calls for transparency and swift action. Community members and environmental groups are likely to press for thorough cleanup plans and health safeguards. In past instances, affected residents have organized town halls and working groups to get answers – for example, state agencies hosted a community meeting in Otsego in 2020 to discuss PFAS investigation results and next steps ([ EGLE to update community on Otsego area PFAS investigation

](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDEQ/bulletins/2a8bb44#:~:text=The%20Michigan%20Department%20of%20Environment%2C,PFAS%20contamination%20in%20the%20area)). Similarly, we can expect local leaders and citizens to demand regular updates and involvement in decisions about remediation of the Plainwell and Portage sites. Ensuring access to safe water (through filtration systems or hookups to public water) is a top priority for the community.

• Ongoing monitoring and health studies: The situation in West Michigan is part of a larger statewide effort to grapple with PFAS contamination. Communities near these sites will likely be involved in ongoing monitoring programs. There may also be health studies or surveys (some already underway) to examine the impacts of long-term PFAS exposure on residents. For instance, projects like the Toxic Action Lab have been working to provide answers for Plainwell/Otsego residents concerned about contamination-related health problems (Otsego and Plainwell residents seek answers to health issues with ...). The addition of these sites to MPART’s list brings more attention and resources to the area, which community members hope will lead to permanent solutions – such as contaminant cleanup, stronger pollution prevention, and medical support for those affected.

Overall, the discovery of two new PFAS hotspots in West Michigan has reinforced awareness of PFAS as a serious environmental health issue. It has spurred state authorities to take action and has galvanized community members to remain vigilant about their water and health, ensuring that the contamination is addressed and not ignored. (MPART identifies new PFAS contamination site along Grand River | WGVU NEWS) ([ EGLE to update community on Otsego area PFAS investigation

](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDEQ/bulletins/2a8bb44#:~:text=PFAS%20compounds%20were%20found%20in,PFAS%20standards%20for%20drinking%20water))