Irene Ave Water Extension Project

Visit the Irene Ave AOI MPART site for the most up-to-date information and to view a map of their initial sampling area. View the 6/3/25 Community Meeting PowerPoint. 

Brent Ritchie is the EGLE Lead for this area of interest (AOI) and can be contacted at ritchieb1@michigan.gov or by calling 616.581.1782.  



What started this investigation?
A homeowner on Irene Avenue SE tested their drinking water well independently associated with the installation of a new well and results showed PFAS levels exceeded criteria for PFHxS. These results were shared with the local and state health departments and EGLE.

How has EGLE decided which drinking water wells to test?
There are a few factors effecting which wells are targetted, including:

• Proximity to previous sampling results (starting from the first house tested)
• Review of water well logs
• Elevation, well depth, and soil lithology

What have tests shown so far?
MPART resampled this home in October 2023 to confirm the previous independent sampling results. Resampling results showed levels of PFHxS at 170 ppt (compared to the drinking water standard of 51 ppt).  Other sampling that has been done in the area either by EGLE or residents have had results of PFHxS much lower than this new well testing result. 

In order to determine the extent of PFAS in drinking water in the investigation area, additional residential well sampling occurred in late Fall 2023 and early Winter 2023-24. 

Groundwater flow direction is estimated to be to the north or northeast toward Schoolhouse Creek which is located approximately 2,000 feet to the northeast and flows to the Thornapple River. 

Who/what is responsible for this PFAS?
While PFAS has been found in the water, EGLE has not been able to determine the source.  It is currently easier to explain why some often mentioned sources aren't likely to be the cause.

• Lacks PFAS Site: The Lacks Cascade MPART PFAS site is nearby, however, levels of PFHxS at that site are an order of magnitude lower than this result and therefore likely not the source of PFAS.
• Gerald R. Ford Airport (Burger/Goodwood PFAS Site): This source is not likely the cause because testing in the Burger/Goodwood neighborhood established a generally well accepted perimeter around the pollution. 

What's next?
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) obtained state funding to pay for the installation of municipal water and well abandonment at 48 homes in the Irene Avenue PFAS Area of Interest and delivered information directly to all 48 of the included properties.

On 6/3/24, Cascade Townhship hosted a community meeting in coordination with EGLE, Kent County Health Department, and MDHHS.  All properties included in the project were invited to attend and learn about the investigation of PFAS contamination in private residential wells and the subsequent extension of municipal water to the Irene Avenue Area of Interest.  This community meeting shared information related to the extension of municipal water and to also provide updates on the overall PFAS investigation.  Representatives from EGLE provided updates on the PFAS investigation and the City of Grand Rapids Water System provided information related to the extension of municipal water. Representatives from the Kent County Health Department attended and a representative from the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) shared information about MPART and an overview of PFAS, which are a large group of human-made substances used in manufacturing, firefighting, and consumer products. 

The PowerPoint from the meeting is available for residents to view: 6/3/25 Meeting Powerpoint