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.
More about the PFAS Problem
- Evers Budget Addresses ‘Forever Chemicals’ - Isiah Holmes - Feb 23rd, 2021
- DNR Launches PFAS External Advisory Group - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Feb 19th, 2021
- Evers Budget Has Green Goals - Danielle Kaeding - Feb 18th, 2021
- Evers Seeks Private Firm’s Aid on Pollution - Danielle Kaeding - Jan 24th, 2021
- Gov. Evers Announces State to Take Legal Action Against PFAS Contaminators - Gov. Tony Evers - Jan 22nd, 2021
- DNR Releases Latest Sampling Results Revealing Broader PFAS Presence In Madison Area Lakes And Yahara River Chain - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 21st, 2021
- New Smelt Consumption Advisory for Lake Superior - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 15th, 2021
- Johnson Controls Settling PFAS Lawsuit for $17.5 Million - Erik Gunn - Jan 8th, 2021
- Fixed Earth Innovations wins Tech Challenge fall 2020 open innovation contest - The Water Council - Jan 5th, 2021
- GOP Lawmakers Strip Emergency PFAS Rule - Danielle Kaeding - Dec 18th, 2020
Read more about PFAS Problem here