PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Portage officials are continuing to monitor PFAS levels in their city but are reassuring residents that their water is not dangerous.
On Thursday at Portage City Hall they held an informational meeting to discuss the potential contamination around Westnedge Park located at 9010 South Westnedge Avenue.
Voluntary tests began last May because the area used to be a former municipal landfill in the 90’s and there are also some exercise training with the fire department conducted there where they use products that contain high concentrations of PFAS. They’re still trying to figure out if the landfill or the training site is the main contributor to PFAS.
25 residential well were first selected for testing but three were eliminated due to opt-outs and outdated addresses.
Out of the 22 residential wells that were voluntarily tested for the toxic chemical they all came back under the EPA health advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion.
Portage City Manager Joseph LaMargo says it’s still a good idea for homeowners to switch from private wells to the city’s water system because they are tested and monitored regularly and are considered safe.
Mayor Patricia Randall says 90% of Portage citizens are already hooked up to public water. She says they’re now discussing how they can make it more affordable and convenient for private well residents to connect with the trunk lines.
Overall more work still needs to be done and they’re keeping a close eye on all of the wells and monitoring the PFAS levels.
PFAS updates, including maps and test results, can be viewed through the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) website.
Residents can also follow the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Facebook page or www.kalcounty.com/hcs/pfasresponse.php for more updates.
