DNR Notified Of Possible Separate Contamination Issue At Marinette Facility That Has Paused PFAS Treatment
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating a separate contamination issue found in one of the ditches downstream of the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center in Marinette, Wisconsin.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, the DNR received notification from Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) and its subsidiary Tyco Fire Products, LP (Tyco) of a sheen on surface water in Ditch B seen upstream from the treatment system used to control PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
On Friday, Sept. 18, the DNR conducted a site visit with JCI/Tyco to examine the sheen and was able to trace it to an upstream residential area. JCI/Tyco has deployed booms and absorbent padding and is in the process of cleaning up the area affected by the sheen.
The sheen has a petroleum odor but at this time its chemical makeup is unknown and the source is as yet undetermined by the DNR. JCI/Tyco’s consultant collected surface water samples from the sheen area for laboratory analysis.
At this time JCI/Tyco has paused the treatment system in Ditch B so as to not damage the filtration system. The DNR will continue to work with JCI/Tyco on the cleanup effort to ensure the PFAS treatment system is restarted as soon as possible.
Any individuals that may have information regarding the sheen may contact the DNR’s tip line: 1-800-TIP-WDNR.
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. These contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways, including spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.
Because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not have a federal drinking water standard for these contaminants, like other states, Wisconsin is working to address this critical issue. The rule-making process started with the state department of health services recommending a cumulative groundwater enforcement standard of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS.
The recommended standards will be enforceable once the rules are finalized. More information on the status of this rules process is available on the DNR’s NR 140 Groundwater Quality Standards web page.
More information regarding PFAS contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo area is available on the DNR’s Marinette and Peshtigo PFAS web page.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the PFAS Problem
- Lawmakers At Odds Over Releasing Health, PFAS Funds - Erik Gunn - Jun 6th, 2024
- Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes - Baylor Spears - May 15th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Sues Republican Legislators for Continued Obstruction of Investments Intended to Address Pressing Challenges Facing Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 13th, 2024
- Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds - Erik Gunn - May 8th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Again Calls Republican Lawmakers into Special Meeting to Urge Immediate Release of $140 Million to Fight PFAS Statewide, Respond to Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 6th, 2024
- The State of Politics: Voters Worried About PFAS in Water - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2024
- EPA Slaps Two PFAS Chemicals With Superfund Law Designation - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 19th, 2024
- DNR Responds To EPA’s Designation Of PFOA And PFOS As Hazardous Substances - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 19th, 2024
- Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 16th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Vetoes PFAS Bill, Calls Special Meeting of Budget Committee - Baylor Spears - Apr 10th, 2024
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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