Investigation of Perfluorinated Compound Contamination

in the Kalamazoo River Between the Cities of Marshall and Allegan,

Selected Tributaries, and Surface Waters in the
Vicinity of Parchment, Michigan

Status Update
September 2018

Surface water samples were collected for PFAS analysis on 8/6 and 8/7/2018. Sampling sites
were selected to bracket potential sources of PFAS contamination in the watershed and to
repeat collection at sites sampled in 2013. Grab samples of ambient surface water were
collected by the MDEQ, WRD-SWAS from the main flow of the Kalamazoo River at 23 sites,
from four selected tributaries near their confluence with the Kalamazoo River, and from two
ponds in Markin Glen Park, directly across the Kalamazoo River from the city of Parchment
(Table 1, Figures 1, 2, & 3). Samples were collected in accordance with the Draft MDEQ
Surface Water PFAS Sampling Guidance document (MDEQ 2018a).

Relatively intensive sampling occurred near the city of Parchment, Michigan (Figures 1 & 2) due
to the recent discovery of PFAS contamination in the city’s drinking water supply. In addition to
surface water samples, opportunistic samples of storm water outfalls near the city of Parchment
were taken. Lastly, MDEQ personnel from the Kalamazoo District Office collected water
samples from ponds, stormwater drains, and abandoned water treatment facilities on the site of
the former Crown Vantage paper mill in Parchment.

Findings:

 PFOS was detected at all sampling sites. Concentrations at riverine sites ranged from
0.6 ng/L at the furthest upstream site (LL, downstream of Marshall Dam) to 49 ng/L in
the Kalamazoo River at Otsego (Site E).
 PFOS concentrations in the Kalamazoo River were at or below the reporting limit of 2
ng/L at all five Kalamazoo River sites from Battle Creek upstream to the Marshall Dam.
 PFOS concentrations in the Kalamazoo River exceeded the 12 ng/L Rule 57 human
health value at two sites immediately downstream of Battle Creek, one site immediately
downstream of Parchment, and one site at Otsego.
 PFOS concentrations in surface waters on the former Crown Vantage site ranged from
4,700 to 9,500 ng/L. The PFOS concentration in the sample from the on-site clarifier
was 3,100 ng/L.
 PFOA concentration at the riverine sites were all below the Rule 57 human health value
and ranged from non-detect (< 1.0 ng/L) to 15 ng/L.
 PFOA concentrations in surface waters on the former Crown Vantage site ranged from
1,300 to 2,400 ng/L. The PFOA concentration in the sample from the on-site clarifier
was 7,700 ng/L.
Table 1. PFOS and PFOA concentrations measured in surface water samples collected from sites in the Kalamazoo River
watershed on August 6 & 7, 2018.
PFOS PFOA
Site ID Description Lat Long
(ng/L) (ng/L)
A Kalamazoo River at Lincoln Rd 42.545175 -85.878503 9.6 4.6
B Kalamazoo River at Grand Street, US Lake Allegan 42.531169 -85.848104 9.1 4.4
C Kalamazoo River at Williams Bridge Rd / replicate 42.504603 -85.844237 9.3 / 9.3 4.3 / 4.7
D Kalamazoo River at Lincoln Rd 42.45989 -85.722541 9.2 4.7
E Kalamazoo River at N North St 42.462798 -85.701605 49 4.9
F Kalamazoo River near US-131 42.453445 -85.65322 10.0 4.8
G Kalamazoo River at D Ave / duplicate 42.376337 -85.578576 12.0 / 12.0 5.3 / 5.5
H Kalamazoo River d/s of Parchment wells 42.35452 -85.577334 7.9 4.1
I Unnamed creek at confluence with Kalamazoo 42.346888 -85.576715 13.0 15.0
J Kalamazoo River d/s of old landfill (US of Parchment wells) 42.341276 -85.57747 14.0 6.8
K Markin Glen small pond 42.339139 -85.584552 3.1 2.7
L Markin Glen large pond 42.335816 -85.585472 4.2 3.6
M Kalamazoo River u/s of old landfill / replicate 42.3342932 -85.5832728 4.2 / 4.5 2.2 / 2.0
N Parchment drain at Kalamazoo River (Storm water outfall 1 KCDC) 42.332438 -85.579839 5200 1600.0
O Parchment Paper Mill Culvert 42.3325 -85.5791 4700 1300.0
P Parchment Paper Mill Drain 42.3325 -85.5791 7000 2400.0
Q Pond near Outfall 1 42.3319547 -85.5794842 9500 2000.0
R Parchment Paper Mill Clarifier 42.333166 -85.577696 3100 7700.0
S Parchment Paper Mill Lagoon 42.332487 -85.578199 5600 1600.0
T Kalamazoo River d/s of Hercules 42.323955 -85.577425 4.0 2.2
U Parchment storm water outfall 3; underwater, river flowing 42.324586 -85.575719 4.1 2.2
V Parchment storm water outfall 4; flowing 42.32399 -85.572968 4.4 3.0
W Parchment storm water outfall 5; not flowing, river stagnant 42.323288 -85.572529 10.0 4.7
X Kalamazoo River u/s of Hercules / duplicate 42.321904 -85.575512 3.8 / 3.9 2.1 / 2.2
Y Kalamazoo River at E Mosel 42.317827 -85.573064 6.0 2.3
Z Kalamazoo River at E Paterson Street 42.303268 -85.571038 3.2 2.0
Table 1. (Continued)

PFOS PFOA
Site ID Description Lat Long
(ng/L) (ng/L)
AA Portage Cr. at E. Michigan Ave (US Kalamazoo R. confluence) / replicate 42.29459 -85.573515 4.1 / 4.1 2.7 / 2.8
BB Kalamazoo River at Michigan Ave 42.294787 -85.571884 4.0 1.8
CC Davis Creek at Olmstead Rd. 42.274299 -85.537982 6.3 3.0
DD Kalamazoo River at E Michigan Ave 42.288644 -85.40175 2.6 1.3
EE Kalamazoo River at Custer Drive / duplicate 42.350827 -85.275847 13 / 14 4.4 / 4.3
FF Kalamazoo River at Battle Creek Linear Park 42.3454195 -85.255755 47 7.4
GG Kalamazoo River at S Bedford Rd 42.337585 -85.232506 2.1 1.0
HH Battle Creek River at pedestrian bridge 42.322434 -85.190396 1.9 1.1
II Kalamazoo River at Hamblin Ave 42.322304 -85.193415 1.1 ND
JJ Kalamazoo River at 294 42.297318 -85.167823 0.9 ND
KK Kalamazoo River at 15 Mile Rd 42.258397 -84.998239 1.0 1.0
LL Kalamazoo River at S Kalamazoo Ave (DS Marshall Impoundment) 42.264857 -84.964001 0.6 ND
 (Figure 3)
(Figure 2)

Figure 1. Overview map of the Kalamazoo River with surface water PFOS concentrations (ng/L) at sites sampled on 8/6 and
8/7/2018. Areas in the rectangular borders are expanded in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 2. PFOS concentrations in surface waters of the Kalamazoo River and selected waterbodies
sampled on 8/6 and 8/7 2018. Results for the samples collected on the former Crown
Vantage site are shown in the expanded inset.
Figure 3. PFOS concentrations in surface waters of the Kalamazoo River and the Battle Creek River in the vicinity of the city of Battle
Creek, 8/6 and 8/7 2018.