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

There are no upcoming meetings scheduled at this time.

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
2026
August 2026The DNR submitted a request to the legislature to access the money from the settlement with Tyco to provide safe drinking water to owners of private wells impacted by PFAS in and around the Expanded Site Investigation Area (ESIA).
July 2026The DNR hosts listening sessions to gather community input to prioritize the use of Tyco’s $10 million settlement payment within the community.  (Summary Slides)
June 2026A settlement agreement is reached, resolving the State’s 2022 complaint alleging Tyco violated Wisconsin’s Spills law for failure to notify and remediate PFAS contamination from the FTC.
June 2026The DNR Responded to JCI/Tyco’s Deep Well Report Addendum #3 for the potable well sampling area (PWSA).
May 2026The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco’s Site Investigation Status Report for the FTC.
April 2026The DNR received the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment Systems (GETS) Long-Term Progress Report #1.
April 2026The DNR responded to progress reports for Ditch A and Ditch B surface water treatment systems. 
March 2026JCI/Tyco offers to abandon private irrigation wells in the city of Marinette within the PFAS plume.
March 2026The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco’s Alternative Water Management Plan for the potable well sampling area (PWSA). 
March 2026The DNR responded to JCI/Tyco's Deep Well Documentation Report Addendum #1 for the potable well sampling area (PWSA).
February 2026The DNR responded to the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment Systems (GETS) Progress Report #6.
February 2026The DNR received the 2025 Foam Monitoring Report.
February 2026The DNR responded to the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment Systems (GETS) Optimization Documentation Report and Revised O&M Plan.
January 2026The DNR approves concept JCI/Tyco plans for monitoring of private wells in the PWSA that have not been replaced by a deep well. JCI/Tyco must notify the affected households for these 24 private wells.

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 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 Menominee River and Bay of Green Bay and impacts private drinking water wells south of the FTC in the town of Peshtigo (see Drinking Water, below).
  • 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, and additional future actions may be needed to achieve remediation goals.
  • The current remedial actions are designed to address the highest concentrations of PFAS found near and on the FTC property. The remedial actions are not designed to clean up contamination in groundwater south of the FTC that is impacting private drinking water wells. Other steps to provide safe drinking water to impacted private wells are ongoing (see Safe Drinking Water Solutions and New Wells, below).

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' drinking water health advisory levels and hazard index for assessing cumulative risk.

Summary of Private Well Testing Results

SiteSampling DatesWells TestedPFAS Not DetectedPFAS < DHS GuidelinesPFAS ≥ DHS GuidelinesMax PFOA Conc.
FTC (PWSA)
Original Wells		2017-20231732669782,100 ppt
FTC (PWSA)
Original Wells Still Used		Through 2026243101143ppt
FTC (PWSA) New Deep WellsThrough 2026139(Note 1)(Note 1)(Note 1)<2 ppt
FTC (ESIA)2020-20214159723385210 ppt
Biosolids Landspreading Fields2020-20211882986732,200 ppt
The summarized well counts are approximate
DHS Guidelines = Health advisory levels for 18 PFAS and/or Hazard Index < 1.0 (updated Feb. 2025 [PDF exit DNR])
DHS = Wisconsin Department of Health Services
PFOA = perfluorooctanoic acid
ppt = parts per trillion 
PWSA = Private Well Sampling Area 
ESIA = Expanded Site Investigation Area
Note 1:  No PFAS were detected above the laboratory reporting limit, except for low-level detections of perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) in seven deep wells.  These low-level detections were further evaluated and determined to be not represenative of water quality in the wells.

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

Safe Drinking Water Solutions and New Wells

When PFAS levels in a private well exceed DHS drinking water advisory levels, there are alternatives available to access safe drinking water.

  • A municipal water supply is generally a preferred solution for long-term safe drinking water because municipal systems are monitored regularly and maintained to meet safe drinking water standards. However, connecting to a municipal water supply may not always be feasible or desired. (A municipal option was evaluated but did not move forward for the town of Peshtigo.)
  • Bottled water can be a source of safe drinking water. The water is typically delivered in 3 to 5-gallon jugs to a home and is often used as a short-term (temporary) solution but can also provide a longer-term remedy based on preference or circumstances.
  • In-home treatment systems that remove PFAS from drinking water are another option to address PFAS contamination in private wells. In-home treatment systems must be properly selected and require long-term maintenance to ensure the system remains effective over time.
  • A new well (usually deeper) can be drilled to replace a PFAS-contaminated well. New wells must be installed to a depth that draws groundwater from a zone that is not impacted by PFAS and designed properly so that the well does not pull PFAS contamination into the uncontaminated zone.
    • Special Note on Deep Wells: Deep replacement wells (depth around 500 feet or greater) installed in the town of Peshtigo often have very hard water that can contain levels of naturally-occurring contaminants (e.g., radium) which are not safe to drink. For these deep wells, in-home treatment is also needed and requires long-term maintenance to remove these naturally-occurring contaminants to safe levels.   

The status and approach to access safe drinking water varies by area.

  • FTC - Potable Well Sampling Area (PWSA): JCI/Tyco provided deep replacement wells with in-home treatment as needed to remove naturally-occurring contaminants to any existing parcel in the PWSA. For residents who did not want a new deep well, JCI/Tyco provides bottled water and/or maintains a point of entry treatment (POET) system for a period of time (see FTC Settlement Agreement).
  • FTC - Expanded Site Investigation Area (ESIA): The DNR currently provides bottled water to homes where private well testing detected PFAS over DHS’s drinking water health advisory levels. The DNR is taking steps to use money received from Tyco‘s June 2026 settlement with the state to provide long-term solutions for safe drinking water in and around the ESIA (e.g. in-home treatment or replacement wells).
  • Biosolids Landspreading Fields: JCI/Tyco and the DNR provide bottled water to homes where testing of the private well detected PFAS over DHS’s drinking water health advisory levels. JCI/Tyco also provides bottled water to homes on parcels near these impacted private wells, but whose private wells have not been tested.  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

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.

FTC Settlement Agreement

FTC Settlement Agreement

On June 5, 2026, a settlement agreement was reached in State of Wisconsin v. Tyco Fire Products, LP, Brown County Case No. 22-CX-000, which resolved the State’s 2022 complaint alleging that Tyco violated Wisconsin’s Spill Law for failure notify and remediate PFAS contamination from the FTC.

The settlement included actions Tyco must take to address the PFAS contamination from the FTC and included an approximate payment of $10 million into the State’s PFAS Trust Fund. Tyco’s required actions include:

  • Establish cleanup goals for the PFAS contamination
  • Remediate PFAS to achieve the cleanup goals to the extent practicable
  • Monitor groundwater and surface water and report on the cleanup progress
  • Offer and provide safe drinking water to existing parcels in the Potable Wells Sampling Area (PWSA) as follows:
    • Offer a new deep well for 20 years and maintain associated treatment systems for 20 years after installation
    • Maintain point of entry treatment (POET) on existing wells for 10 years
    • Provide bottled water to households without a deep well or POET for 2 years

The settlement does not require Tyco to take further action in the Expanded Site Investigation Area (ESIA). In August 2026, the DNR requested that the settlement funds paid to the state PFAS Trust Fund be released to provide safe drinking water to households in and around the ESIA.

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. A consumption advisory is in effect for certain types of fish in the bay of Green Bay and its tributaries, including the Oconto, Peshtigo and Menominee rivers, up to the first dam.

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

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.

In September 2025, the DNR and DHS issued PFOS-based consumption advisories for waterfowl harvested on the bay of Green Bay. For the waters south of a line from the city of Marinette to Sturgeon Bay and north of Longtail Point, mallard consumption should be limited to one meal per month, and wood duck consumption should be limited to one meal per week. More information about these advisories is available on the Consumption Advisories and PFAS page.

Health Information and Resources

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.