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Cedarburg council authorizes PFAS groundwater sampling at former Prochnau landfill
Summary
The Council authorized focused groundwater sampling for PFAS/PFOS at the former Prochnau landfill after DNR input; staff said state guidance currently uses 70 parts per trillion and EPA guidance is moving toward 4 ppt, and that further costs could follow depending on results.
The Cedarburg Common Council on Feb. 23 authorized focused groundwater sampling for emerging contaminants (PFAS/PFOS) at the former Prochnau landfill as part of the site's ongoing investigation.
Staff explained the site — behind the former Elbow Room and Newman Chevrolet — has been on the DNR's radar since 1980 and that responsible parties include the city, the town and Mercury Marine. Staff said the DNR told them the site-investigation report would likely not be approved unless it included testing for PFAS/PFOS. "The state regulation right now says 70 parts per trillion. They're looking to go a little bit more stricter, with the EPA stating 4 parts per trillion," the Staff member said, adding that outcomes above those levels could trigger additional requirements and costs.
Ramble (the contractor on the site investigation) could perform the PFAS sampling in March as part of the testing already planned, staff said; the town of Mercury and Mercury Marine will have parallel discussions and the costs would be split among responsible parties. The Council moved to authorize the additional focused groundwater sampling and the motion passed by voice vote.
Staff provided a tentative timeline: sampling in 2026, design work in 2027 and potential remediation beginning in 2028–29, though staff emphasized that next steps depend on test results and DNR requirements.
