Kent Co. PFAS Settlement Agreement May Be Model For Others

A tentative agreement announced this week, that is to provide relief for residents affected by PFAS contamination in northern Kent County, could eventually be the model for other settlements in the Kalamazoo and Calhoun County areas.

That agreement reached reached between the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); Plainfield and Algoma Townships; and Wolverine Worldwide, has Wolverine agreeing to pay "$69.5 million for extension of municipal water to more than 1,000 properties. The agreement will also outline Wolverine’s ongoing responsibilities – under State oversight – for addressing the presence of PFAS in area groundwater," according to a release from the Michigan Attorney General's office.

Under the agreement, Plainfield Township will construct and operate the municipal water extensions depicted on the attached map, which will be built in phases. Wolverine will also be required to continue to maintain the water filters it has installed pending hookup to municipal water; for houses not receiving municipal water under this agreement, Wolverine must maintain filters it has already installed for any well with PFOA+PFOS detected above 10 ppt (or other PFAS cleanup criteria, upon effectiveness). - Michigan Attorney General's office.

 

The agreement still requires approval by related parties involved.