Meridian Township and East Lansing, MI – As part of a new statewide initiative to test drinking water from all schools, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) recently tested the East Lansing – Meridian Water system for a group of manmade chemicals called per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The results show that no detectable levels of PFAS were found in the water.
The East Lansing – Meridian Water and Sewer Authority (ELMWSA) provides drinking water to the public water supplies for the City of East Lansing and Meridian Township. ELMWSA’s water was tested by AECOM, MDEQ’s contractor.
On August 27, 2018, ELMWSA received notification from MDEQ that the water supply tested by the State of Michigan was a NON-DETECT at the set detection limit of 2 parts per trillion (ppt). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lifetime Health Advisory (LFA) for PFOS and PFOA is 70 ppt. The test results can be found on the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team website, www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse.
It is not uncommon to find low levels of PFAS in drinking water supplies, as PFAS can be found in fire-fighting foams, stain repellants, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, and many other household products. They do not break down in the environment and move easily into water.
ELMWSA, the City of East Lansing and Meridian Township are committed to providing customers with quality drinking water. ELMWSA is working closely with MDEQ to maintain water quality.
For health-related questions, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) at 1.800.648.6942 or visit one of the websites below.
For information on PFAS including possible health outcomes, visit these websites:
• State of Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) website serving as the main resource for public information on PFAS contamination in Michigan www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) website including health information, exposure and links to additional resources www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) website including basic information, U.S. EPA actions and links to informational resources www.epa.gov/pfas