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Whitelaw pauses acceptance of EIP water after PFAS found in sludge
Summary
After a DNR inspection found PFAS at 120 ppt in sludge—above the 100 ppt threshold—the Village of Whitelaw stopped accepting EIP water and will seek a state-funded retest and consultant guidance before resuming intake.
A DNR inspection on May 21 prompted the Village of Whitelaw to stop accepting water from EIP after testing detected PFAS in sewage sludge at 120 parts per trillion (ppt), exceeding the 100 ppt threshold. Public Works Director Jerry Linsmeier reported the result at the Utility Committee’s June 1 meeting and said the village has suspended EIP deliveries until the source of contamination is confirmed.
Jerry told the committee the suspected cause is cross-contamination from a tanker used for both EIP leachate and landfill leachate. He said the state will pay for one retest. "PFAS detected in sludge at 120 ppt, exceeding the 100 ppt threshold," Jerry reported, and he recommended the village consult Donohue & Associates (working with nearby Cleveland on similar issues) for technical guidance; the committee agreed Jerry should contact the firm.
Clerk/Treasurer Sheena Kocourek and Jerry said the Inspection also requires several standard operating procedure updates. The committee discussed next steps: arrange the state-funded retest, obtain consultant advice on isolating the source, and consider operational changes before resuming acceptance of external loads.
The committee did not take a formal regulatory action at the meeting beyond pausing EIP intake; members asked staff to pursue the retest and consultant contact. The Compliance Maintenance Annual Report, due in June, will be completed online by Kocourek with Jerry’s assistance and may require a special meeting for committee approval.
