‍

In March 2026, Cannon Township installed a shallow groundwater monitoring well aspart of preliminary planning for a potential future cemetery north of the celltower on the Township Office property.

‍

Groundwater testing discovered low levels of PFAS in the shallow groundwater. The Township immediately notified EGLE to discuss this and review next steps.

During that conversation, EGLE informed the Township that EGLE recently had receivedword from a nearby resident that their drinking water well test had found similar low levels of PFAS and that EGLE planned to conduct testing as part ofa a preliminary investigation. At that time, EGLE mailed notices to near byresidents to offer well testing at no charge to these residents.

‍

Also in March 2026, Cannon Township testedits deeper drinking water well that supplies water to the Township Centerfacility. This well was found to contain about 3 parts per trillion (ppt) ofPFOA, which is below EGLE’s criteria of 8 ppt for PFOA.

‍

In April 2026, Cannon Township installed a second shallow monitoring well south ofthe Township Office/Fire Station as part of the effort to determine the source, magnitude, and extent of ground water contamination. This monitoring well wasinstalled in a location that likely received runoff from an area where the Fire Department historically used about 25 gallons of aqueous film forming foam(AFFF) in fire training. This shallow well was found to contain 72 ppt of PFOA,19 ppt of PFNA, and low levels of six other PFAS compounds. As before, this information immediately was shared with EGLE.

‍

Since May 2026, EGLE has been communicating with adjacent property owners, seekingpermission to test private wells, and doing sampling and analysis whereallowed. EGLE has indicated their work continues now into October.

‍

On October 6, 2026, EGLE informed Cannon Township that they have officially postedthe Cannon Township Fire Department, Station #2 Area of Interest on their MPARTWebpage. This webpage includes a “PFAS Criteria Heat Map” that shows properties that have been canvassed, that have declined sampling or have been sampled, and the associated levels of PFAS found. We understand EGLE continues to be in contact with property owners and intends to proceed with "step out” testing until the extents of the impact are known. EGLE has informed us that out of an abundance of caution, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has placed homes that have detections near or over Michigan’s MCLs on their filter recommendation list. These homeowners will beable to get free point of use filters for their homes by contacting the Kent County Health Department. Details on how to get their filters, as well as theirsample results were transmitted to them via phone call and mail by MDHHS recently.

‍

Finally, on October 7, Cannon Township requested that EGLE participate in a town hallmeeting with Cannon Township representatives and residents to share current,accurate information and answer questions. This is being coordinated.

‍

Anyquestions about EGLE’s drinking water well testing should be directed to:

‍

Joshua Walker, Geologist

Remediation and Redevelopment Division – Grand Rapids District Office

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

(616) 840-3567 | Walkerj54@Michigan.gov

‍