EPA adds Gelman 1,4-dioxane plume to Superfund National Priorities List, Ann Arbor official says

Erin Donnelly, Environmental Services Manager for the City of Ann Arbor, said on a city briefing that the Environmental Protection Agency added the Gelman 1,4-dioxane plume to the National Priorities List on March 12, a formal Superfund designation that places the site under federal cleanup oversight.

"On March 12th, the EPA added the Gelman 1,4-dioxane plume to the National Priorities List, which puts the full weight of federal oversight behind cleaning it up," Donnelly said. She added that the designation moves oversight responsibility from the State of Michigan to the EPA, which she said brings "more resources, more tools, and more accountability."

The announcement matters because the NPL listing formalizes federal involvement in long-term investigation and cleanup planning. Donnelly cautioned residents that designation is a process, not an immediate remediation: "This is not an immediate cleanup. Superfund timelines can range from a few years to several decades," she said.

Donnelly also addressed local concerns about drinking water safety, saying, "Your drinking water continues to be safe. We test regularly and those results are always posted on the city's website." The city directs residents to a2gov.org/gelman for test results, background materials and to sign up for updates.

Donnelly credited decades of community advocacy with advancing the listing. The briefing did not include any formal votes, motions, or new local funding commitments; it was an informational update on the federal designation and next steps.

The city said it will provide ongoing updates as the EPA develops investigation and remediation plans. For more information and to subscribe to notices, see a2gov.org/gelman.