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Cadillac residents press for more PFAS testing, water access and state intervention
Summary
Residents from Cadillac and surrounding townships described widespread concern about PFAS detections in private wells, asked for more testing and immediate water access, and urged state intervention to resolve interjurisdictional disputes between city and township authorities.
A Cadillac resident identified as Bill told the Citizens' Advisory Group that repeated well testing in the area has found PFAS in many samples and said local residents urgently need clean water and state-level coordination.
Commenting on test results and public reaction, Bill said MPART and other agencies had stepped up but that local governments were not cooperating in a way that would quickly solve immediate water needs. “I think the state should intervene actually because our city and Herring Township are like enemies for 50 years,” he said, adding that residents on wells need “an immediate solution that people can live with to get through a period of planning.”
Bill described preliminary sample counts and detection rates as approximate: the town mailed roughly 70 letters, said about 53–60 tests were done, and estimated “about 40%” of the tests had PFAS concentrations above federal screening levels; he said many more samples are pending and that MPART and EPA involvement have increased local testing.
Other community members urged broader public education and outreach. Lynn (a COG member) credited MPART for spurring action but said the episode underlined a continuing lack of public notification systems when groundwater contamination is found. Lynn and others encouraged more targeted notification tiers (sample notices, result notices, education) that match measured severity and exposure risk.
Newcomer Mary Galvanic, who identified herself as a Cadillac farmer and farmers-market manager, said the market could be used as a local education venue and offered to help with outreach. MPART staff reiterated plans for a local open-house and a forthcoming FAQ to answer residents’ questions.
No formal policy or funding actions were taken at the meeting; residents asked state agencies and COG members to pursue testing, short-term water solutions, and legislative or budgetary support to reach affected households.
