PFAS Contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area
PFAS contamination has been detected in the Marinette and Peshtigo area in soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, private drinking water wells and biosolids. In addition to the information on this website, the DNR has scheduled a series of meetings and listening sessions to ensure that the public receives timely information about this contamination. Meeting details are shown in the first tab below on this page. Community members are encouraged to attend to ask questions and discuss concerns with the DNR.
Subscribe to Marinette and Peshtigo area PFAS contamination updates.
Find a certified lab that can test drinking water for PFAS.
Search a database for sites with reported PFAS contamination.
FAQ for PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area.
Report a PFAS foam event suspected to be occurring in the Marinette and/or Peshtigo area.
Results from the DNR Potable Well Sampling Program. NEW!
On This Page
Information can be found below for the following locations where PFAS investigations will be or are being conducted in the Marinette and Peshtigo area, including:
- JCI/Tyco Stanton St. Campus – 1 Stanton Street, Marinette
- JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center (FTC) – 2700 Industrial Parkway, Marinette
- Chem Design Products, Inc. – 2 Stanton Street, Marinette
- Land-spreading fields associated with PFAS-contaminated biosolids from the Marinette Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
The map below identifies these and other locations.
View an enlarged version of the map.
Meetings
Upcoming Public Meetings
Questions about PFAS contamination in the Marinette-Peshtigo area may be submitted in advance of the listening sessions by phone (888-626-3244) or by email (DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov).
Public Meeting | Date | Time(s) | Location | Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Listening Session 14 | Wed., May 19, 2021 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. |
Remote via web and phone Join remotely via web: Join remotely via telephone: |
Previous Public Meetings
Public Meeting | Date | Time(s) | Location | Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | ||||
Listening Session 13 | March 17, 2021 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 12 (Remote) | Jan. 20, 2021 | 1-3 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
2020 | ||||
Listening Session 11 (Remote) | Nov. 18, 2020 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
Town of Peshtigo Special Meeting – DNR Guest Speaker | Nov. 10, 2020 | 6 p.m. | DNR attended the meeting remotely | Presentation |
Listening Session 10 (Remote) | Sept. 16, 2020 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 9 (Remote) | July 15, 2020 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 8 (Remote) | May 20, 2020 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 7 (Remote) | April 15, 2020 | noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Remote via web and phone | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 6 | Feb.19, 2020 | Noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 5 | Jan. 15, 2020 | Noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Agenda Presentation |
2019 | ||||
Listening Session 4 | Dec. 18, 2019 | Noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 3 | Nov. 2019 | noon-1:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 2 | Oct. 16, 2019 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Agenda Presentation |
Listening Session 1 | Sept. 18, 2019 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Agenda Presentation |
Public Meeting | July 10, 2019 | 6-8 p.m. | Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave., Marinette | Presentation |
Actions
Summary of Actions
Date | Action and Details |
---|---|
2021 | |
March 22, 2021 |
DNR posted the draft air operation permit renewal for Tyco Fire Products at 1 Stanton Street in Marinette. Public comments will be accepted through April 21, 2021. |
March 15, 2021 | DNR Cannot Intervene in the Tyco Class Action Lawsuit |
March 5, 2021 |
DNR sends information packets and letters to potable well owners in the Expanded Site Investigation Area who remain eligible for well testing but have not yet been sampled, and to those whose well may be retested as part of confirmation sampling. |
March 5, 2021 | DNR issues a notification to JCI/Tyco regarding DNR's lab certification adjustments for testing of PFAS compounds; JCI/Tyco is still required to sample for 36 analytes as a part of its site investigation activities. |
Feb. 26, 2021 | JCI/Tyco submitted a remedial action plan for a Groundwater Extraction Treatment System (GETS). The GETS is designed to extract and treat PFAS contaminated groundwater near the FTC. |
Feb. 24, 2021 | DNR issues a discussion summary to JCI/Tyco regarding wetlands permitting requirements for proposed wetland impacts near the FTC associated with the Groundwater Extraction Treatment System (GETS). |
Feb. 23, 2021 | DNR issues a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to its Aerial Deposition Evaluation for the FTC. |
Feb. 15, 2021 | JCI/Tyco submitted a Foam Response Work Plan, summarizing monitoring and removal activities of foam in waterways in the city of Marinette and in the town of Peshtigo. |
Feb. 11, 2021 | DNR issues a response to JCI/Tyco regarding its plan to evaluate potable well sample results compared to the Cycle 11 DHS Recommended Groundwater Standards. DNR informed JCI/Tyco that all wells that had not yet been sampled for 36 PFAS compounds must be re-sampled. |
Jan. 29, 2021 | DNR issues letter requesting JCI/Tyco submit foam response work plan after reviewing findings from response actions taken to address foam on waterways in the city of Marinette and town of Peshtigo in 2020. |
2020 | |
Dec. 30, 2020 | DNR Issues Wastewater Discharge Permit for JCI/Tyco Facility in Marinette |
Nov. 6, 2020 | DHS issues new recommendations to DNR for Wisconsin groundwater standards. Read more. |
Oct. 23, 2020 | The Remediation and Redevelopment Program added new faces to and centralized all oversight and project management of remediation cases associated with the area-wide PFAS contamination in Marinette, Peshtigo and surrounding communities. Read more. |
Oct. 19, 2020 | DNR receives analytical sample results from JCI/Tyco for fish tissue; results for many of the samples are inconclusive. Read more. |
Oct. 7, 2020 | JCI/Tyco submitted fish tissue data from three private ponds in the town of Peshtigo. The results are inconclusive; remaining fish tissue was sent to an alternate lab for further analysis. |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
DNR sends packets of information to potable well owners in Expanded Site Investigation Area regarding DNR's well sampling plans. |
Sept. 15, 2020 | DNR and DHS issued a Do Not Eat Advisory for Liver of White-tailed Deer in the Marinette area. The advisory was based on the results of PFAS sampling conducted of deer tissue in the Marinette area. More details are available in the "Health" tab. News release |
Aug. 28, 2020 | News release: Elevated PFAS Levels Found In Ditch Downstream Of JCI/Tyco |
Aug. 12, 2020 | DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco requesting that they modify sample results notification letters issued to private potable well owners following sampling events. The requested modifications follow protocols laid out in a memo from the Department of Health Services. |
Aug. 6, 2020 | News release: DNR Public Notices Wastewater Discharge Permit for JCI/Tyco Facility in Marinette |
July 13, 2020 | JCI/Tyco issued a letter declining to conduct additional potable well sampling in an area defined by DNR as the expanded site investigation area. |
July 10, 2020 | JCI/Tyco submitted a Foam Monitoring Immediate Actions Report, documenting foam observation and collection efforts. |
July 10, 2020 | JCI/Tyco submitted a draft Site Investigation Workplan for the collection of surface water samples downstream of Ditch A and Ditch B treatment systems. |
July 7, 2020 | DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco requesting a definitive response to sample potable wells in the expanded site investigation area; the letter was also a notice of intent for the DNR to incur expenses for potable well sampling efforts if JCI/Tyco declined to conduct this sampling as required by state law. |
June 8, 2020 | JCI/Tyco submitted a draft Aerial Deposition Evaluation report for the FTC site. |
June 5, 2020 | JCI/Tyco submitted a draft Interim Site Investigation for the FTC site. |
June 5, 2020 | JCI/Tyco submitted a draft conceptual site model (CSM) for the FTC site. |
June 3, 2020 | JCI/Tyco issued a response letter to DNR, commenting on immediate actions required to address foam on waterways in a letter issued by DNR to JCI/Tyco on May 27, 2020. |
June 1, 2020 | JCI/Tyco issued a response letter to DNR, commenting on actions required by DNR in a notice of noncompliance issued to JCI/Tyco on May 27, 2020. |
May 27, 2020 | DNR issued a letter addressing JCI/Tyco’s report for sampling conducted in the area identified by JCI/Tyco as the Southern Area. DNR concluded in their review of JCI/Tyco’s report that JCI/Tyco must conduct additional work to adequately determine the degree and extent of PFAS contamination from the Fire Technology Center. |
May 27, 2020 | DNR issued a notice of noncompliance to JCI/Tyco for failure to address site investigation requirements at the Fire Technology Center, including sampling potable wells in an expanded site investigation area. |
May 27, 2020 | DNR issued a letter directing JCI/Tyco to take immediate actions to address foam on surface waters in drainages and waterways in Marinette and Peshtigo. |
April 14, 2020 | News release: DNR Directs JCI/Tyco To Provide Emergency Drinking Water for Three Homeowners On Private Wells Near JCI/Tyco Biosolid Applied Fields Investigation Area After Sampling Results Show High Levels of PFAS Contamination |
April 10, 2020 | DNR received the JCI/Tyco site investigation workplan describing sampling plans for the private drinking water wells identified within 1,200 feet of the 61 fields where biosolids were landspread. |
April 10, 2020 | DNR received the JCI/Tyco site investigation report for the 'Southern Area Groundwater Evaluation' area (also known as the Heath Lane Area) associated with the Fire Technology Center. The report provides an evaluation of groundwater samples collected in the in 2019. |
April 8, 2020 | DNR approves JCI/Tyco fish sampling plan for private ponds associated with the Fire Technology Center in Marinette. |
April 8, 2020 | DNR directed JCI/Tyco to immediately provide bottled water for three homes near the biosolid fields where combined PFOA/PFOS results showed elevated levels above 20 ppt. |
March 9, 2020 | DNR in collaboration with USDA successfully collected deer tissue samples from the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center. Deer samples have been sent to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene; sample results are anticipated in summer 2020, which may or may not result in consumption advisories or further collection and sampling. |
March 2, 2020 | JCI began collecting water samples for PFAS analysis from drinking water wells around the 61 fields where biosolids have been landspread. |
Feb. 19, 2020 | DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco for the Fire Technology Center requiring that the study area be expanded to include additional areas in the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo. Map showing expanded study area |
Feb. 18, 2020 | DNR issued a response to JCI/Tyco for the site investigation associated with landspreading of PFAS contaminated biosolids from the city of Marinette Waste Water Treatment Plant. JCI/Tyco will focus attention during the remaining winter months on sampling private potable wells within a 1,200-ft buffer surrounding the 61 fields. |
Feb. 5, 2020 | DNR executed an access agreement with JCI/Tyco that will allow the USDA to cull deer from the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center property in order to evaluate potential PFAS contaminant levels in deer. |
Feb. 4, 2020 | DNR received a data report from JCI/Tyco for the Stanton St. facility. The report shows that there are PFAS in groundwater outside of the barrier wall located on the Stanton St. property. |
Jan. 23, 2020 | The DNR hosted a meeting with JCI/Tyco to discuss the status of all JCI/Tyco investigations for PFAS contamination. |
Jan. 10, 2020 | News release: DNR Providing Emergency Drinking Water to Homeowner with PFAS Contamination Near JCI Investigation Area |
2019 | |
Dec. 31, 2019 | JCI/Tyco submitted an Operation and Maintenance report for treatment system located in Ditch A. The report was promised in July 2019 and contains PFAS sample data from ditch A from January to June 2019. The DNR is evaluating sample results showing increased PFAS levels at the ditch from January 2019 to June 2019. |
Dec. 18, 2019 | DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to the October 2019 Draft Remedial Action Options Report for the Fire Technology Center (FTC) |
Week of Dec. 9, 2019 | DNR mailed an informational post card with details of the December 18th Listening Session to be attended by Attorney General Josh Kaul. Post cards went out to 11,500 households. |
Week of Nov. 4, 2019 | DNR mailed listening session informational postcard to 11,500 households |
Oct. 30, 2019 | DNR received results for foam and water samples collected in Marinette and Peshtigo area |
Oct. 16, 2019 | DNR issued Notice of Noncompliance (NON) for failure to begin investigation of biosolid-applied fields, including potable well sampling within 1200 feet of the fields. |
Oct. 7, 2019 | DNR shared water chemistry data for surface water bodies sampled around the state. |
Sept. 11, 2019 | DNR provided a letter to the mayors of the cities of Peshtigo and Marinette and the chairperson for the town of Peshtigo regarding upcoming public meetings and clarification on trust fund availability. |
Sept. 6, 2019 | Wisconsin Department of Health Services provided a letter to DNR describing health effects associated with exposure to PFAS via flood waters entering homes in areas where PFAS have been detected in groundwater. |
Aug. 2019 | DNR hired an environmental contractor to assist with sampling foam for PFAS |
Summer 2019 | DNR conducted water quality sampling of fish and surface water |
July 10, 2019 | DNR held a public meeting regarding past, current and upcoming actions on PFAS in the Marinette and Peshtigo area. The meeting presentation is available. |
July 9, 2019 | DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to the May 2019 Remedial Action Options Report for the Fire Technology Center (FTC) |
July 3, 2019 | DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco requiring by September 3, 2019, the site investigation work plan for the fields on which Marinette biosolids were spread |
July 3, 2019 | DNR issued Responsible Party letter requiring investigation of biosolid-applied fields and potable well sampling. |
July 2, 2019 | DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco requesting disclosure of historic disposal locations and service providers of wastewater and solid waste generated by JCI/Tyco; requests field data of past PFAS sampling events |
July 2, 2019 | DNR issued a Responsible Party letter to Chem Design Products, Inc. |
July 2, 2019 | DNR issued a Potentially Responsible Party letter to JCI regarding a leased property on Woleske Road, Marinette |
July 1, 2019 | DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco requiring signage along ditches |
June 5, 2019 | DNR issued a notice to well drillers requesting they contact DNR prior to drilling new water supply wells in the affected area |
May 30, 2019 | DNR referred JCI/Tyco to the Wisconsin Department of Justice |
Investigations
Investigations
Under the oversight of the DNR, Johnson Controls, Inc. - Tyco Fire Products (JCI/Tyco) began conducting a site investigation for PFAS contamination in Fall 2017. This investigation resulted in additional sites being identified where investigation work must be conducted. Additional parties responsible for PFAS contamination have also been identified. It is possible that more sites and responsible parties may be identified in the future necessitating additional investigation. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Responsible parties (RPs) that cause a discharge of a hazardous substance or environmental pollution are required to report, investigate and clean up contamination. RPs are required to immediately notify the state of a discharge of a hazardous substance regardless of whether the discharge is confined to the property where the contamination occurred or has migrated to another property. The DNR follows the process outlined in NR 700, Wis. Adm. Code, to inform the RP of their requirements, which includes a recommendation to hire a qualified consultant to investigate and remediate contamination in compliance with relevant laws. RPs may also be required to conduct immediate or interim actions, such as providing bottled water or water filtration systems.
DNR Database
To view information on sites where PFAS contamination has been reported to the DNR, go to the Remediation and Redevelopment Program database (BRRTS on the Web). To find sites with PFAS contamination in the database, go to the "Advanced Search" tab. Then, and under "Substances" search for "PFAS."
PFAS Contamination Sources in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area
- JCI/Tyco Stanton St. Campus – 1 Stanton Street, Marinette
-
This site totals 66 acres and is in north-northeastern Marinette, directly south of the Menominee River. JCI/Tyco operates a fire extinguisher and fire suppression system manufacturing facility at this location.
- Letter to Responsible Party
- Map of facility location
- DNR database of related documents: DNR Case File #02-38-581955
Latest actions
- JCI/Tyco has halted sending AFFF foam to the Marinette and Peshtigo wastewater treatment plants due to high levels of PFAS in the biosolids.
- At the DNR's request, both cities are storing their biosolids until an effective disposal method can be approved by the DNR.
- JCI/Tyco continues to define the extent of groundwater, soil, sediment and surface water contamination associated with their operations.
- JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center (FTC) – 2700 Industrial Parkway, Marinette
-
The Fire Technology Center is a 380-acre property located on the southern edge of the city of Marinette. The facility conducted outdoor training with aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) from the 1960s until 2017.
- Letter to Responsible Party
- Map of facility location
- DNR database of related documents: DNR Case File #02-38-580694
Latest actions
- JCI/Tyco has sampled 168 private wells in the city of Marinette and town of Peshtigo study area. 58 wells have tested positive for PFAS and 29 wells have levels exceeding the state Department of Health Services recommended groundwater quality standard of 20 ppt combined for PFOA and PFOS. The map below shows where private wells have been sampled; the legend identifies the value of sample results in accordance with EPA's Health Advisory Level (HAL) (i.e., yellow shows sample results above the HAL).
- JCI/Tyco provided 37 properties with point of entry treatment (POET) drinking water systems. DNR is requiring that JCI/Tyco provide a long-term, protective solution for those citizens with impacted private wells.
- JCI has submitted a draft interim action options report evaluating long-term solutions for contaminated private wells in the town of Peshtigo.
Map showing where private wells have been sampled. The legend identifies the value of sample results in accordance with EPA's HAL (i.e., yellow shows sample results above the HAL). Planned actions
- JCI/Tyco is constructing two interim remedies to collect and treat contaminated surface water prior to it reaching Lake Michigan.
- JCI/Tyco is expected to submit a plan to DNR in July to address controlling and treating the most highly contaminated groundwater, which is on the FTC site.
- JCI/Tyco is continuing with their site investigation and evaluating whether additional private well and groundwater sampling may be needed.
- Chem Design Products, Inc. – 2 Stanton Street, Marinette
-
The Chem Design Products facility is located in north-northeastern Marinette, directly south of the Menominee River.
- Letter to Responsible Party
- DNR database of related documents: DNR Case File #02-38-583852
- Land-spreading fields associated with PFAS-contaminated biosolids from the Marinette Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
Drinking Water
Drinking Water Sampling and Analysis
PFAS was detected in potable drinking water wells sampled by JCI/Tyco as part of their site investigation. The table below shows a summary of all drinking water sample results completed through June 1, 2019.
Type of Sample Media | Number of Samples Collected 1 | Number of Non-detects | Number of Samples with Detects Greater than EPA HAL 2 | Number of Samples with Detects Greater than DHS Recommended Groundwater Standard 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Drinking Water (Potable Wells) | 168 | 110 | 16 | 29 |
Groundwater | 39 | 0 | PFOA: ND to 254,000 ppt PFOS: ND to 64,000 ppt |
|
Shallow Groundwater | 51 | 26 | PFOA: ND to 1,140 ppt PFOS: ND to 97.9 ppt |
|
Surface Water | 36 | 0 | PFOA: ND to 6,000 ppt PFOS: ND to 1,100 ppt |
|
Sediment | 18 | 3 | PFOA: ND to 550 ppb PFOS: ND to 100 ppb |
|
Soil | 39 | 0 | PFOA: 0.97 to 1300 ppb PFOS: ND to 380 ppb |
|
1 PFAS Analytes Sampled: PFOS and PFOA 2 EPA HAL: 70 ppt 3 DHS Recommended Groundwater Standard: 20 ppt |
ND = No Detect ppb = parts per billion ppt = parts per trillion |
The table references the 70 ppt Health Advisory Level (HAL) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the 20 ppt recommended groundwater standard issued by Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on June 21, 2019.
The EPA HAL and the DHS recommended groundwater standards are for PFOA and PFOS levels combined. Both the EPA HAL and the recommended DHS groundwater standard are set at a level to protect people, including sensitive populations like people who are pregnant and babies, from any health effects associated with PFOA and PFOS exposures. The groundwater standard recommended by DHS is based on more recent scientific findings.
Interim drinking water sources
As PFAS was detected in drinking water supplies, JCI/Tyco has supplied affected community members with bottled water and/or water filtration systems as an interim action. The water filtrations systems are referred to as Point-of-Entry-Treatment (POET) systems.
Long-term drinking water options
As part of the overall site investigation process, JCI/Tyco has worked closely with their consultant to evaluate what types of long-term potable water solutions are available for community members in this area. JCI/Tyco has published a report documenting their evaluation process through May 2019.
The DNR will continue to work with JCI/Tyco, its consultants, the affected well owners and local units of government to ensure an appropriate long-term potable water supply solution is implemented.
City of Marinette public water supply
The city of Marinette voluntarily sampled their public drinking water supply. Results of sampling efforts can be viewed on the city of Marinette's website.
City of Peshtigo public water supply
The city of Peshtigo voluntarily sampled their public drinking water supply. Results of sampling efforts can be viewed on the city of Peshtigo's website.
Town of Peshtigo – well drilling notification
DNR issued a notice to well drillers requesting they contact DNR prior to drilling new water supply wells in the affected area. The purpose of this directive is to ensure well drillers and their customers have all the pertinent information needed to make decisions about well construction.
Wastewater/Biosolids
Wastewater and Biosolids
PFAS can enter the wastewater stream through several sources (e.g., sanitary sewer discharges, consumer products) and has the potential to ultimately end up in the organic sludge generated as a byproduct of wastewater treatment known as "biosolids." JCI/Tyco historically discharged their fire-fighting foams from the Fire Technology Center into the city of Marinette's sanitary sewer as part of a permitted discharging entity. JCI/Tyco ceased discharging to the Marinette Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in March 2019 in order to allow for an investigation of the potential impact of their discharges to overall WWTP processes and practices.
Land application of biosolids is a common wastewater beneficial reuse method for disposing of biosolids as they can provide nutrients and organic matter for crop production. Once the city of Marinette learned of the PFAS contamination at the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center, they agreed to hold biosolids and refrain from permitting applicators to landspread biosolids until further direction.
City of Marinette
The city of Marinette has sampled for PFAS to determine the potential for PFAS contamination associated with WWTP plant processes including their influent, effluent, biosolids and at several points in the collection system. Sample results are available on the city of Marinette's PFOA and PFAS webpage under the "Wastewater Analysis" and "Biosolids Analysis" headings.
Because PFAS were detected in biosolids from the WWTP, the DNR asked the city of Marinette to hold biosolids rather than landspreading and is working with the city and JCI to determine an appropriate method of remediating the PFAS-contaminated biosolids.
- March 1, 2019, letter from DNR to Marinette re: biosolids disposal
- September 10, 2018, letter from DNR to Marinette re: biosolids spreading
The city of Marinette has an interactive map on their website that shows past locations where biosolids were spread.
City of Peshtigo
The city of Peshtigo began voluntarily holding their biosolids in 2019. The city utilized a similar process at their WWTP of separating the liquid portion of the waste stream and landspreading the remaining biosolids material on agricultural fields in and around the community. The city had their biosolids tested in May 2019. PFAS were detected in the biosolids and DNR has asked the city of Peshtigo to continue to withhold their biosolids from landspreading practices until further notice.
Surface Water/Fish
Surface Water
As PFAS have been detected in surface waters in the Marinette and Peshtigo area, DNR requested DHS to assess health risks associated with surface waters and foam. Specifically, DHS was asked to help develop language for signs that will be posted in these communities.
On June 21, 2019, DHS provided a letter to DNR [PDF] describing the health effects associated with exposure to PFAS via surface water and foam. In their letter, DHS noted that people can be exposed to PFAS during recreational activities in streams and ponds.
- Accidental swallowing (ingestion) is the main source of PFAS exposure in water, especially in children as they swallow more water than adults during recreational activities.
- Touching water (dermal contact) with PFAS contamination is a minor source of PFAS exposure; available information suggests that PFAS do not easily enter through the skin.
DHS's recommendation in their letter is as follows:
"To best protect people from potential PFAS exposure from surface water, DHS recommends people avoid drinking or accidentally swallowing the water or foam and wash their hands after wading or playing in the water."
DNR is working with JCI/Tyco to distribute public notification to homeowners along surface waters and to install signs at surface water access points throughout the communities. The following maps show ponds and drainage ditches that have been contaminated with PFAS.
- May, June and July 2018 Surface Water Sample Analytical Results - North
- May, June and July 2018 Surface Water Sample Analytical Results - South
Surface water and fish tissue sampling
DNR will begin an effort to sample streams and fish for PFAS in 2019. The paired collection of fish tissue and surface water chemistry will aid in development of a water quality standard for surface waters of the state. The sampling will be conducted in several study areas including the Menominee River near the city of Marinette. Sites have been selected throughout the state in order to characterize local conditions in a number of different locations.
Health
Health information and resources
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is supporting the DNR in assessing human health risks associated with the PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area, including providing recommendations to reduce those risks. For health-related questions, please email DHS at DHSEnvHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
DHS has issued two letters to DNR describing PFAS exposure pathways, health concerns and mechanisms to reduce PFAS exposure:
The DNR and DHS issued a Do Not Eat Advisory for the liver of white-tailed deer in the Marinette area based on the results of PFAS sampling in deer tissue. More information can be found on the safely eating wild game page.
Learn more about health effects of various PFAS on the following websites.
- DHS: Per- and Polyfluroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): PFAS and their health effects.