What we know about PFAS contamination in Parchment drinking water

PARCHMENT, MI — Residents using Parchment’s municipal water supply were told on July 26 to immediately stop drinking the water after high levels of PFAS were discovered in the municipal water source. Public health experts link exposure to the chemicals with increased risk for cancer, liver damage and other serious ailments.

Here’s what we know about PFAS discovered in Parchment’s municipal water supply. A test conducted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality showed a level of 1,587 parts per trillion of PFAS in Parchment’s municipal water supply. Results showed 670 ppt for PFOA and 740 ppt for PFOS. This level is more than 20 times higher than the EPA lifetime health advisory of 70 ppt.

More test results from the three groundwater wells supplying the city’s water system are expected Monday, July 30.

Officials estimate 3,000 residents in are on Parchment’s city water system. The water system is being drained and will be hooked up to Kalamazoo’s water system, officials said. The system will then be flushed, officials said. On the map, the blue line represents Parchment’s municipal water system, which includes residents in Parchment and parts of Cooper Township.

Joel Bissell […]

Full article: What we know about PFAS contamination in Parchment drinking water

More about: forever chemicals (PFAS, etc.), pollution, and public health