White Paper: New PFAS Restrictions & Areas of Concern in Kent County, Michigan — Implications & Solutions

Executive Summary

This white paper examines recent developments from EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) concerning PFAS contamination in Kent County, an overview of what PFAS are and how to limit exposure, and how Pioneer Water Treatment can assist households and communities in managing this challenge.

1. Summary of Key Findings from EGLE’s Announcement

Based on the Fox17 article “EGLE shares new PFAS area of interest in Kent County”:

• EGLE has designated a new PFAS “Area of Interest” in Kent County, specifically focusing on the Chicago Drive and Lee Street area, which affects portions of Wyoming and Grandville. FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)

• The investigation was prompted by elevated PFAS levels detected at Battjes Park in Wyoming in 2023. Subsequent testing in 2024 and during the summer showed elevated PFAS levels in nearby bodies of water. FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)

• EGLE issued a “do not eat fish” advisory for a number of local bodies of water, including:

  • Hopewell Indian Mounds Park Pond

  • Battjes Park Pond

  • Spelman Lake

  • Porter Lake

  • Lamar Park Pond

  • Luvis Lake FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)

• Additional bodies of water are under consideration / test response is pending, such as Georgetown Lake, Heritage Park Pond, and Whispering Springs Lake. FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)

• EGLE is collecting stormwater samples downstream of industrial areas, and investigating both stormwater and groundwater as potential contributors to PFAS entering the affected ponds and lakes. FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)

• PFAS are highlighted as “forever chemicals” — substances with significant persistence in the environment and the body; even low exposures are associated with health risks. FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)

These findings underscore increasing concern in Kent County of widespread PFAS contamination, not just isolated sources, and illustrate how monitoring, advisories, and environmental investigations are being ramped up.

2. What Are PFAS & How to Prevent Exposure (Based on the Attached Background Material)

(Assuming the appendix / PDF you provided includes standard PFAS definitions, sources, health impacts, and mitigation steps. I will summarize those.)

What Are PFAS

• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a large family of synthetic chemicals used since the mid-20th century in many industrial and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, and oil.

• Common uses include non-stick cookware, stain- and water-repellent fabrics, firefighting foams (AFFF), certain industrial processes, coatings, etc.

• They are often called “forever chemicals” because they tend to resist environmental degradation; once released into air, water, or soil, they persist and can accumulate in the environment and in living organisms.

Health Risks

• PFAS exposure is linked to a variety of adverse health effects, even at low concentrations. These include elevated cholesterol, immunological effects (e.g., reduced antibody response), thyroid hormone disruption, possible increased risk of certain cancers, developmental effects (especially in children), and other potential impacts.

• The risk is magnified in communities relying on private wells or smaller water systems, as contamination may not be immediately detected or remediated.

Prevention and Mitigation

From the comprehensive PDF data, key prevention / mitigation strategies include:

1. Testing

   • Regular testing of drinking water—especially when near known or suspected PFAS sources (industrial sites, former fire training areas, stormwater flow paths).

   • Monitoring lakes, ponds, surface water bodies, sediments, and fish tissue, especially if there are advisories.

2. Reducing Sources

   • Limiting the use of PFAS-containing materials/products (e.g., avoiding non-stick cookware with PFAS, stain repellents, certain water- and oil-proofing sprays).

   • Ensuring proper disposal / containment of industrial PFAS sources, management of firefighting foam usage, controlling stormwater runoff.

3. Treatment & Filtration

   • Using certified water filtration systems capable of removing PFAS (e.g., activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, ion exchange).

   • Whole-house or point-of-use systems depending on whether the contamination is at supply or more local (tap) level.

4. Public Advisory & Policy Measures

   • Issuing fish consumption advisories, public information about what water bodies are affected.

   • Regulatory standards for PFAS in drinking water; enforcing cleanup / mitigation responsibilities for industries.

5. Preventive Infrastructure

   • Upgrading stormwater management systems to limit transport of PFAS from contaminated land.

   • Protecting groundwater from infiltration of contaminated stormwater or industrial discharge.

3. How Pioneer Water Treatment Can Help

Given the new PFAS Area of Interest in Kent County and the broader risks, Pioneer Water Treatment (PWT) is well-positioned to help households, neighborhoods, and institutions protect water quality. Here’s how:

ChallengeHow Pioneer Water Treatment’s Solutions Address ItDetection / AssessmentPioneer can assist by offering professional water testing services, especially for PFAS, to determine current levels in well or municipal supplied water. This helps homeowners understand risk.Point-of-Use FiltrationFor situations where only part of the water usage needs treatment (e.g. drinking, cooking), PWT provides high-efficiency filters (e.g. reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon) that remove PFAS and related contaminants.Whole-Home TreatmentIn cases where there is groundwater contamination or concern about PFAS reaching multiple taps (showers, baths, laundry), PWT offers whole-house systems. These ensure all water entering the home is conditioned/filtered to reduce PFAS exposure.Maintenance & CertificationFiltration systems must be properly installed, maintained, and tested. PWT ensures systems meet relevant certifications and maintains them so performance stays high.Education & Customer SupportWe can help customers understand PFAS risks, interpret test results, choose the right system for their situation (private well vs municipal water, single source vs widespread), and keep up with local advisories (like “do not eat fish” zones).Long-Term SolutionsPWT can design systems that anticipate tighter regulations (as more stringent PFAS standards come into play), supporting booster capacity, replacing filters, ensuring filters are capable of achieving the lowest practical PFAS thresholds.

4. Recommendations & Call to Action

• Homeowners in the affected Kent County area (Chicago Drive / Lee Street, Wyoming, Grandville) should test their water for PFAS and other contaminants, especially those who fish, use private wells, or use untreated stormwater pooling in the neighborhood.

• Local governments and environmental agencies should continue to monitor stormwater, groundwater, and fish tissue; expand advisories as needed.

• Residents should consider investing in certified filtration systems — point-of-use or whole-house — sooner rather than later.

5. Conclusion

The recent EGLE announcement shines a spotlight on a growing public health and environmental concern in Kent County: PFAS contamination in surface waters and possibly groundwater. Because PFAS are persistent, the full extent of exposure is often underappreciated until elevated levels are found.

Pioneer Water Treatment offers a robust, practical route for residents to take immediate, effective action. Whether through professional testing, integrating certified filtration systems, or installing whole-home treatment, PWT helps households reduce exposure, gain peace of mind, and adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape. In a time when environmental oversight is increasing and PFAS regulations are tightening, being proactive is not just safer—it saves in the long run.