On March 2, we voluntarily began sampling water wells near fields where biosolids from both the Marinette and Peshtigo City Wastewater Treatment facilities were spread. We have received results from 61 of the wells that have been sampled. 52 of the 61 results are preliminary.
Only one of the 61 results tested above the Federal Health Advisory Level (HAL) of 70 ppt, and forty-seven of the 61 wells were non-detect for PFAS.
Of the remaining wells tested, seven had results below the reporting limit (RL) of 1.8 parts per trillion (ppt); four were between 1.8-20ppt; and two were between 20-70ppt. The result from the single well that tested above the HAL limit is preliminary. The preliminary result from the one well that tested above the HAL was 1,100ppt. The homeowner was notified and offered bottled water. Given the other results from the neighboring wells, this single result is an anomaly.
While the results obtained so far are generally positive and this singular result is an anomaly, we take it seriously and are working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the homeowner to conduct follow-up testing to confirm the results and determine the potential sources of the PFAS.
Sampling was suspended on March 19 because of safety concerns due to the COVID-19 outbreak. At that point, a total of 98 wells had been sampled. We are still awaiting results from 37 of the samplings. The sampling will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
