As a proud Michigander, I’ve always been fascinated by the incredible work our state is doing to safeguard our precious water resources. And when it comes to the complex issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination, let me tell you, Michigan is leading the charge.
Unraveling the PFAS Puzzle in Michigan’s Wastewater
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used in a variety of industries for decades. They’re incredibly persistent, which means they don’t break down easily in the environment. And that’s where the trouble starts, my friends. These pesky chemicals can find their way into our water systems, including our wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But wait, aren’t WWTPs supposed to clean up our wastewater?” Well, you’re absolutely right. Traditionally, these facilities have been designed to remove all sorts of nasty pollutants. But when it comes to PFAS, they’re kind of like a fox guarding the henhouse. These chemicals can slip right through the cracks, so to speak.
That’s why the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has been working tirelessly to get a handle on this issue. In 2018, they launched the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) PFAS Initiative, which required all municipal WWTPs with required IPPs (that’s 95 statewide, in case you were wondering) to find out if they were passing PFOS and/or PFOA through to our surface waters or groundwater. And if they found any, well, they had to get to work reducing and eliminating those pesky sources.
Tracing the Culprits: Where is PFAS Coming from?
Now, as it turns out, the majority of significant PFOS sources that were identified through this initiative were, wait for it… metal finishers with a history of fume suppressant use, contaminated sites associated with industries or activities with PFOS usage, and landfills that accepted industrial wastes containing PFOS. Yep, you heard that right – it’s not just the obvious suspects, like the firefighting foam, that are causing trouble.
But fear not, my fellow Michiganders, EGLE is on the case. They’ve been working closely with these industrial users to reduce and eliminate these PFAS sources, and the results have been pretty darn impressive. Just take a look at some of the actions they’ve taken:
- City of Ionia: Implemented granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment at one source, reducing PFOS in their effluent from 304 ppt to 99 ppt.
- City of Lapeer: Implemented GAC treatment at one source, reducing PFOS from 70 ppt to 99 ppt.
- City of Wixom: Implemented GAC treatment at two sources, reducing PFOS from 94 ppt to 99 ppt.
And the list goes on! These WWTPs have been putting in the hard work, and it’s paying off. But wait, there’s more…
A Comprehensive Approach: Statewide PFAS Assessments
But EGLE didn’t stop there. In the fall of 2018, they launched a second initiative, this time to conduct a statewide PFAS assessment of 42 WWTPs. The goal? To better understand the fate of PFOS and PFOA as they make their way through the municipal wastewater treatment process.
They didn’t just look at the effluent (the treated water that gets discharged), oh no. They also sampled the influent (the untreated wastewater that comes into the plant) and the biosolids/sludge (the solid waste that’s left over after treatment). This gave them a complete picture of how PFAS is cycling through the system.
And if that wasn’t enough, in the fall of 2021, EGLE went and did it all over again, this time with 44 WWTPs. They wanted to see how effective those industrial source control efforts have been since the IPP PFAS Initiative was launched. Talk about being thorough!
Tackling PFAS in Groundwater and Surface Waters
But EGLE’s not just focused on the WWTPs, my friends. They’ve also got their sights set on the receiving waters – the lakes, streams, and groundwater that all that treated wastewater flows into. After all, what’s the point of cleaning up the wastewater if it’s just going to end up contaminating our precious natural resources?
That’s why EGLE has developed generic cleanup criteria for groundwater used as drinking water under Part 201 for seven PFAS. And for discharges to surface waters, they’ve got those handy Michigan Rule 57 values for PFOS, PFOA, and PFBS. They’re really leaving no stone unturned in their quest to protect Michigan’s water.
Continuous Improvement: Evolving Strategies and Collaborations
But the story doesn’t end there, folks. EGLE is always looking for ways to improve their strategies and approach. They’ve developed a Municipal NPDES Permitting Strategy for PFOS and PFOA, with the goal of continuing to identify, reduce, and remove these chemicals at WWTPs with NPDES permits.
And get this – they’ve even cooked up a compliance strategy for addressing PFAS from public and private municipal WWTPs with groundwater discharges. The aim? To evaluate, prioritize, and reduce or eliminate PFAS at these facilities to ensure our groundwater stays safe and clean.
But EGLE doesn’t go it alone. Oh no, they’re all about that inter-agency coordination through the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART). This dynamic group brings together experts from across the state to tackle PFAS from every angle. And let me tell you, when Michigan puts its mind to something, we get results.
The Future of Wastewater Treatment and PFAS Mitigation
So, where do we go from here, you ask? Well, if you ask me, the future of wastewater treatment in Michigan is looking bright. Sure, we’ve still got a lot of work to do when it comes to completely eliminating PFAS from our water systems, but I have no doubt that EGLE and the rest of the MPART crew are up for the challenge.
And who knows, maybe one day we’ll even see innovative new technologies emerge that can remove PFAS with lightning speed. (Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?) Until then, I take comfort in knowing that my home state is leading the charge, protecting our water resources and public health with unwavering dedication.
So, the next time you turn on your tap or take a dip in one of our beautiful lakes, remember the hardworking folks at EGLE and all the progress they’ve made. And if you ever find yourself in need of wastewater treatment services, be sure to check out Alpha Wastewater – they’re doing their part to keep Michigan’s water clean and pure.