PFAS Contamination in Cascade Township
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in products ranging from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics. They persist in soil and groundwater for decades — earning the name "forever chemicals." Several private well areas in and near Cascade Township have been flagged for PFAS testing through Michigan's statewide monitoring program.
Michigan has adopted some of the nation's strictest PFAS drinking water standards — as low as 8 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS combined, tighter than the EPA's 2024 federal maximum contaminant level of 4 ppt for each substance individually. Residents on private wells bear the cost of testing and, if needed, treatment unless a responsible party is identified.
What the Testing Found
EGLE's PFAS monitoring program has tested hundreds of public water systems and private wells across Kent County. Several sites near Cascade Township — including properties near former industrial corridors and fire training facilities that used PFAS-containing foam — have shown detectable levels.
- State MCLs in effect since 2020: Michigan's seven regulated PFAS compounds each have enforceable limits. Public water systems must test and remediate. Private well owners are notified but bear their own costs.
- EPA action (2024): The federal government finalized the first national PFAS drinking water rules in April 2024, setting limits for PFOA, PFOS, and four other compounds. Public systems have five years to comply.
- Kent County context: The primary contamination sources in West Michigan have been linked to fire training areas at former industrial sites and agricultural spray fields that accepted certain biosolids.
The Two Sides
- PFAS linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental harm in children
- Precautionary principle: wait for more evidence means more people exposed longer
- Polluters, not residents, should bear cleanup costs
- Michigan's strict standards protect the Great Lakes water supply
- At very low concentrations, health risks may be overstated relative to cleanup costs
- Broad liability could bankrupt responsible parties before cleanup is complete
- Compliance costs for small water systems and rural homeowners are significant
- Some question whether the most stringent MCLs are achievable with current technology
What to Watch
- Private well testing results: EGLE periodically releases updated PFAS well testing data. Check the MPART well testing map for Cascade-area results.
- Responsible party identification: If a contamination source is confirmed near your property, EGLE can compel responsible parties to provide alternative water or pay for treatment. Timelines vary.
- Water filtration options: Certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 point-of-use filters (activated carbon or reverse osmosis) can reduce PFAS below detection in household water.
- Kent County Health Department: Offers guidance on well testing. Contact (616) 632-7100 for referrals to certified labs.
How to Participate
- Test your well: Homeowners in areas of concern can request testing through EGLE's program or hire a certified lab. The Michigan Department of Health has a list of approved laboratories.
- EGLE public comment: Contamination remediation plans are often subject to public comment. Sign up for MPART alerts at michigan.gov/pfasresponse.
- Township Board meetings: Cascade Township Board meets the first Monday of each month at Township Hall, 2865 Thornhills Ave SE. PFAS-related agenda items are posted at cascadetwp.com.