PFAS_Content Page_PFAS Contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area

PFAS Contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area

PFAS contamination has been detected in Marinette, Peshtigo and surrounding communities in soil, private wells, surface water and groundwater.

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PFAS Contamination Sites

In 2017, Johnson Controls, Inc. and Tyco Fire Products (JCI/Tyco) began investigating PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area. Since 2017, additional sites in the area have been identified and are summarized below. Detailed reports may be accessed using the links below or by searching the DNR database.

Map of known PFAS sites in the Marinette and Peshtigo areas.

View an enlarged version of the map.

Public Meetings

Upcoming Public Meetings

Questions about PFAS contamination in the Marinette-Peshtigo area may be submitted in advance of the listening sessions by phone at 888-626-3244 or by email at DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov.

Previous Public Meetings

A listing of previous public meetings and associated materials is available.

Activities, Actions and Updates

Summary of Actions

The items below represent some of the recent activities that have taken place as part of the ongoing PFAS contamination in Marinette, Peshtigo and surrounding communities.

More previous activities are available on the PFAS Summary of Past Actions in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area page.

To view additional activities, visit the Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) on the Web (BOTW) online database and search “JCI/Tyco” in the “Activity or Location Name” field.

DateAction and Details
2024
October 2024The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco's Site Investigation Status Report. The DNR recommended more investigative work and for JCI/Tyco to evaluate where additional actions may be needed to reduce contaminant migration from the FTC.
August 2024The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco's GETS Progress Report #3, which documented operations through May 2024 and included information for plans to add five extraction wells to the GETS.
May 2024JCI/Tyco provided a quarterly update on the status of the installation of deep wells.
May 2024The DNR reviewed the progress reports for the Ditch A and Ditch B surface water treatment systems. Both systems continue to remove PFAS, but water downstream can still contain PFAS levels higher than surface water standards. JCI/Tyco is evaluating if upgrades to the groundwater extraction and treatment system (GETS) can further limit the amount of PFAS reaching ditches A and B.
May 2024The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco's revised Comprehensive Alternative Water Management Plan for the Potable Well Sampling Area (PWSA), noting that the plan should extend beyond the PWSA and that a final plan should be established after the site investigation is complete.
April 2024The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco's Monitoring Plan to evaluate if the concentrations of PFAS are increasing, stable or decreasing in groundwater and surface water near the Fire Technology Center (FTC). This plan is specific to areas where PFAS has been detected. Additional investigation is needed to define the extent of the PFAS contamination from the FTC.
March 2024The DNR responded to the Stanton Street Site Investigation Update. Additional actions are recommended to complete the investigation.
March 2024JCI/Tyco provided a quarterly update on the status of installation of deep wells.
February 2024JCI/Tyco provided a letter documenting the locations of surface water advisory signs.
February 2024JCI/Tyco submitted the 2023 Surface Water Foam Characterization Report.
February 2024The DNR responded to the GETS Semi-Annual Progress Report #2, which documented operations through November 2023.
January 2024The DNR reviewed progress report #8 for Ditch B treatment system. The system removes PFAS from the water it treats, but high flows in Ditch B cause some water to go untreated and PFAS to migrate downstream in Ditch B. JCI/Tyco plans to add a downstream monitoring point and is asked to evaluate if other actions are needed to remediate water in Ditch B.
January 2024The DNR reviewed progress report #9 for Ditch A treatment system. The system removes PFAS from the water it treats, but PFAS continues to migrate downstream in Ditch A. JCI/Tyco plans to add a downstream monitoring point and is asked to evaluate if other actions are needed to remediate water in Ditch A.
January 2024The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco’s potable well sampling plan update. Residents in the potable well sampling area who do not opt for a new deep well remain covered by this plan.

Background – Fire Technology Center

JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center (FTC) – 2700 Industrial Parkway, Marinette

BRRTS 02-38-280694

The FTC is a 380-acre property owned by JCI/Tyco on the southwestern side of Marinette. The FTC is the most significant source of PFAS contamination identified in the area to date. Discharges of PFAS to the environment occurred as a result of training, testing and research and development of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a type of PFAS-containing firefighting foam. Outdoor training with AFFF occurred from the 1960s until 2017. Investigation and cleanup activities are ongoing:

  • Beginning in 2017, JCI/Tyco took steps to reduce discharges of PFAS from this facility, including cessation of outdoor testing of AFFF, construction of an indoor AFFF testing facility and construction of a wastewater treatment facility to remove PFAS from its industrial wastewater.
  • The highest concentration of PFOA + PFOS detected in groundwater on the FTC property is greater than 100,000 parts per trillion (ppt).
  • PFAS-impacted groundwater from the FTC property migrated off-site and spans an area of over 10 square miles. The contaminated groundwater plume also extends downward into bedrock. Surface waters in ponds and flowing in ditches near the FTC contain PFAS. The contamination flows into the Bay of Green Bay and impacts private drinking water wells south of the FTC in the town of Peshtigo (see Drinking Water, below).
  • Additional investigation is required to define how far the contamination has spread.
  • JCI/Tyco has taken steps to begin the cleanup of PFAS in the environment near the FTC. Cleanup actions include excavating PFAS-contaminated soil on the FTC property, operating two surface water treatment systems to reduce the PFAS concentration flowing in Ditches A and B, and operating a groundwater extraction and treatment system (GETS) to capture highly contaminated groundwater flowing east from the FTC. The GETS is expected to operate for several decades.
  • Additional actions to clean up the contamination will likely be needed; the current actions will not clean up contamination in groundwater south of the FTC that is impacting private drinking water wells.

Background – Stanton Street

Stanton Street Sites – 1 and 2 Stanton Street, Marinette

BRRTS 02-38-581955 and BRRTS 02-38-583852

The Stanton Street campus is a 66-acre property owned by JCI/Tyco on the eastern side of Marinette along the Menominee River. JCI/Tyco blends and packages AFFF and manufactures fire extinguishers at this facility. ChemDesign Products, Inc. (ChemDesign), a synthetic organic chemistry toll service provider, processes PFAS-containing materials for JCI/Tyco within the 7 acres it leases on the property. JCI/Tyco and ChemDesign are investigating PFAS contamination associated with their operations, respectively, at the Stanton Street campus.

  • In 2019, JCI/Tyco initiated a site investigation at the Stanton Street site. In 2021, ChemDesign initiated a site investigation focused on its leased areas and operations on the property.
  • A limited number of samples were collected from groundwater, soil, and sanitary sewers; PFAS contamination was confirmed in all media sampled.
  • The highest concentration of PFOA + PFOS detected in groundwater at the Stanton property is greater than 10,000 ppt.
  • Additional investigation is needed to determine where the PFAS contamination has spread.

The Stanton Street campus is also a cleanup site for arsenic contamination; the arsenic cleanup case has been active since 1976. The site investigation and cleanup activities for the arsenic contamination (BRRTS 02-38-000011) has included dredging of contaminated sediment in Menominee River adjacent to the site, and construction of a containment system to limit migration of contaminated groundwater from the property.

Background – Biosolids Landspreading Fields

Biosolids Landspreading Fields

BRRTS 02-38-586856

Biosolids are the organic material generated as a byproduct at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Biosolids are commonly land-applied to agricultural fields as a source of nutrients for crops. The city of Marinette was approved to land-apply biosolids to 61 fields in the area.

In 2018, PFAS were detected in the city of Marinette's sanitary sewers that received wastewater from JCI/Tyco's FTC and Stanton Street properties. In general, municipal WWTPs were not equipped to remove PFAS, and if PFAS were in wastewater received by the WWTP, then the PFAS could pass through the facility into the biosolids. The city's subsequent testing in 2018 detected high concentrations of PFAS in biosolids from its WWTP. Following this, the city ceased land application of its biosolids.

The city of Marinette has an interactive map on its website that shows past locations where biosolids were land-applied. JCI/Tyco is responsible for investigating PFAS contamination where these biosolids were previously land-applied. ChemDesign is also responsible for evaluating its contribution of PFAS to the city of Marinette's WWTP.

  • In 2020, JCI/Tyco collected samples from private drinking water wells within 1,200 feet of the 61 fields where biosolids were land-applied. PFAS contamination was detected in some of the private drinking water wells (see Drinking Water tab). The highest concentration of PFOA and PFOS detected in private drinking water samples collected near the landspreading fields is greater than 1,000 ppt.
  • JCI/Tyco is providing bottled water to residents with impacted private wells and wells that are within certain distances of these fields. 
  • In November 2022, the DNR collected six surface water samples from Lake Noquebay to evaluate the current PFAS concentrations in the lake. The concentrations of PFOA were less than 1 ppt and PFOS were less than 0.2 ppt. The results are available on the DNR's PFAS Data Viewer.
  • A site investigation is needed to define the degree and extent of PFAS contamination in and around the 61 fields. In April 2023, the DNR sent a Notification of Noncompliance after learning that JCI/Tyco will delay its investigation of the biosolids study area.

Drinking Water

Private Drinking Water Wells

PFAS were detected in private drinking water wells sampled as part of the ongoing investigations in the area. The results are summarized below and compared to the Department of Health Services' recommended groundwater standards and hazard index for assessing cumulative risk.

Private Drinking Water Results Through Dec. 31, 2023

SiteSummary ReportsNumber of WellsMax Conc.1
Wells TestedPFAS Not DetectedPFAS < RESPFAS ≥ RES and/or HI ≥ 1
FTC (PWSA)

2023 Report

2022 Report

2021 Report

2020 Report

17326112372,100 ppt
FTC (ESIA)June 2022 Report [PDF]4158529832270 ppt
Biosolids Landspreading FieldsSeptember 2020 Report19131130302,200 ppt
1 Concentration of PFOA + PFOS + FOSA + NEtFOSA + NEtFOSAA + NEtFOSE
RES = Recommended Enforcement Standard (Cycle 10 and Cycle 11)
HI = Hazard Index for assessing the cumulative risk of PFAS using Cycle 11 recommended standards
ppt = parts per trillion 
PWSA = Private Well Sampling Area (testing conducted by JCI/Tyco)
ESIA = Expanded Site Investigation Area (testing conducted by DNR)

Marinette and Peshtigo Public Water Supply

The cities of Marinette and Peshtigo voluntarily sampled their public drinking water supplies for PFAS.

Safe Drinking Water Solutions and New Wells

Bottled water is a source of safe drinking water to households that have a PFAS-contaminated well. However, because the PFAS is expected to remain in the impacted aquifers for a very long time, other long-term solutions to safe drinking water are needed. The feasible and available options vary by location.

A municipal water supply is generally a preferred solution for long-term safe drinking water because municipal systems are monitored regularly and maintained by licensed professionals to meet standards. However, hook-up to a municipal water supply may not always be feasible or desired.

Other solutions may include in-home treatment systems to filter PFAS from private wells or a new well installed in an uncontaminated aquifer (usually deeper). Each of these options comes with additional required actions to verify drinking water is safe.

  • In-home treatment systems must be properly selected and maintained to remove PFAS. Occasional PFAS testing is recommended to verify treatment remains effective over time.
  • For new wells, occasional testing is recommended to verify PFAS have not migrated and impacted the new well.
  • In the Marinette-Peshtigo area, naturally occurring contaminants that may present a health risk (e.g., radium and strontium) are frequently detected in the deeper aquifer. In-home treatment is recommended to filter water from deep wells, and occasional testing is recommended to verify effectiveness of the selected treatment.

Progress toward implementing a long-term safe drinking water solution varies by area.

  • FTC - Private Well Sampling Area (PWSA): JCI/Tyco evaluated long-term water supply solutions for this area in a May 2019 report. Some residents in the PWSA are exploring options for municipal water, while others have opted to have JCI/Tyco install them a new deep well and others continue to accept bottled water or in-home treatment for PFAS from JCI/Tyco. 
  • FTC - Expanded Site Investigation Area (ESIA): JCI/Tyco has refused to sample private wells or provide bottled water in this area, as stated in a December 2021 letter. The DNR currently provides bottled water to residents having private wells with PFAS at or above DHS recommendations. The town of Peshtigo has included the ESIA in its exploration of options for municipal water for the town.
  • Biosolids Landspreading Fields: JCI/Tyco currently provides bottled water to residents having private wells with PFAS at or above DHS recommendations and other residents who live near these locations, but whose wells have not been tested for PFAS (November 2021 letter). Other long-term solutions have not been evaluated for this area.

Well Drilling Notification

The DNR issued a notice to well drillers regarding PFAS in June 2019 requesting they contact the DNR before drilling new water supply wells in the area to ensure they have pertinent information about the PFAS contamination.

In October 2023, the DNR issued a notice to well drillers regarding deep wells requesting they alert customers about possible water quality issues in the deep aquifer in the area to ensure they can make informed decisions regarding their well construction.

Non-Potable Wells & Basement Water

Some residents in the Marinette and Peshtigo area have private wells used for purposes other than drinking water (e.g., gardening, filling swimming pools). Depending on the depth and location, these wells may draw water that is contaminated with PFAS. Homeowners who no longer wish to use their non-potable private well may choose to have their well properly filled and sealed.

  • The DHS issued a letter with recommendations to reduce exposure to PFAS when private well water is used for fruit and vegetable gardening or filling pools.
  • The DHS published a fact sheet with information and safety tips for home gardeners in areas with known PFAS contamination.

Groundwater that infiltrates into basements in the area may be impacted with PFAS. The DHS issued a letter with recommendations to reduce exposure to PFAS if contaminated groundwater leaks into a basement.

Surface Water & Fish

Surface Water And Foam

PFAS were detected in surface water samples collected from ponds and ditches in the area; the following maps show the locations and testing results for surface water samples JCI/Tyco has collected to date.

Results from testing that the DNR has completed in this area are available on the DNR's PFAS Data Viewer.

PFAS are also present in foams that may occasionally form on surface water impacted with PFAS. More information can be found on the PFAS and Foam on Waterways webpage.

JCI/Tyco maintains advisory signs along affected waterways. The signs advise to:

  • Avoid touching the foam that may accumulate on these waterways
  • Avoid swallowing or drinking the impacted water
  • Wash skin and pets as soon as possible after contacting the foam or impacted water

The highest concentrations of PFAS in surface water were detected in samples collected from Ditches A and B. JCI/Tyco currently maintains treatment systems to reduce the concentration of PFAS in the water in Ditch A and Ditch B. The systems capture and treat surface water in each ditch using granular activated carbon, and then discharge the treated water downstream. Operation and Monitoring (O&M) Reports for the Ditch A and Ditch B systems are available on BRRTS# 02-38-580694.

When surface water contains PFAS, foams that may form on the water surface tend to concentrate the PFAS and these foams may have higher concentrations of PFAS then the surface water. JCI/Tyco monitors five ditches in the area for foam, and removes and disposes of foam when it appears. JCI/Tyco's May 2021 and July 2021 reports contain PFAS-testing results for foam that formed on Ditch B. 

Fish

PFAS were detected in fish tissue samples JCI/Tyco collected from local private ponds. The following reports summarize fish tissue results collected by JCI/Tyco.

PFAS were detected in fish tissue samples collected by the DNR in the Peshtigo River and Bay of Green Bay. Information on the fish advisory resulting from the sampling effort is available in the DNR's January 2022 news release.

Statewide Surface Water and Fish Sampling

The DNR is conducting a multi-year, statewide monitoring project to sample fish tissue and water chemistry at select sites near known or probable sources of PFAS. Further information, results and maps are available on the Surface Water and Fish Tissue PFAS Sampling page. Fish consumption advisories related to PFAS are included on the Consumption Advisories and PFAS page.

Wildlife

In September 2020, 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 and in the news release.

Health Information and Resources

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the DNR in assessing human health risks associated with the PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area.

For health-related questions, please email DHS at DHSEnvHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Learn more and access resources about the health effects from PFAS on the following websites.