Local lawmakers echo MDHHS ‘do not contact’ directive as environmental quality testing continues along Huron River

Low Level Hexavalent Chromium Detected in Hubbell Pond, Kent Lake

LANSING, Mich. – A group of bipartisan lawmakers on Monday reminded residents of the “do not contact” recommendation issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Huron River in Oakland and Livingston counties continues to be tested for the presence of hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen which can cause a number of adverse health effects through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation.

Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom reported on August 1 that liquid containing 5% hexavalent chromium was discharged into the sanitary sewer system and routed to Wixom’s sewage treatment facility which discharges into Norton Creek, which empties into the Huron River system.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) reported on Saturday that three of 69 water samples taken from 42 river miles during the week detected the presence of the chemical – two in Milford’s Hubbell Pond and one in the middle of Lake Kent. . All three samples indicated that chemical levels were at or below values ​​of 11 to 16 parts per billion to protect aquatic life. The Kent Lake detection found 5 parts per billion and the two Hubbell Pond detections were 11 and 9 parts per billion.

EGLE continues to expand its testing and monitoring of the river. Department officials also inspected the Tribar plant as part of an ongoing investigation to determine the cause and more details of the release.

“It is important that residents adhere to the recommendation not to contact along the Huron River as the area continues to be monitored by state environmental quality and public health experts,” said the state. Senator Jim Runestad, R-White Lake. “I will also continue to monitor the situation and work with local authorities as they investigate the situation, seek solutions to prevent this from happening again and keep the public informed.”

“I am committed to working with residents and state partners to advance accountability and ensure incidents like this do not occur,” the state said. Representative Ryan Berman, R-Commerce Township.

“I want to assure residents that EGLE is monitoring the situation as they take samples from Norton Creek, just below the Wixom Sewage Treatment Plant, to the Huron River, just downstream from Kent Lake. While the vast majority of samples were reported undetected for hexavalent chromium, the chemical was detected in Kent Lake and Hubbell Pond. Surveillance efforts are expanded to ensure the protection of public health,” said State Representative Ann Bollin, Township of R-Brighton. “Additionally, during work at the Tribar facility, EGLE learned that the material, which is still believed to contain approximately 5% hexavalent chromium solution, went through a granular activated carbon treatment system before to be discharged into the sanitary sewer system and enter the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant.And to date, sampling staff have not observed any impacts on wildlife.

“The Huron River is vital to our community, both for recreation and drinking water,” the state said. Representative Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield. “Our public safety officials and regulators are coordinating a response to mitigate ecological damage and protect our health. I hope everyone in our community will follow their recommendations so that we can prevent people from being harmed by this pollution.

“Residents should be able to drink from the tap and enjoy our state’s beautiful waterways without fear of exposure to chemicals,” the state said. Representative Kelly Breen, D-Novi. “Parents, in particular, have enough to worry about if the water their children are playing in is toxic. Tribar Manufacturing has abused the public trust on more than one occasion and its negligent behavior cannot be tolerated, especially at the expense of taxpayers, public health and the environment. We will continue to work alongside the Attorney General, EGLE and MDHHS to ensure full accountability for this incident.

“This polluter cannot be allowed to continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of all who live along the Huron River,” the state said. Representative Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor. “I urge EGLE and the Attorney General to do everything in their power to shut down Tribar and recover the cleanup costs, economic damages, and additional treatment of Ann Arbor’s municipal water. Ratepayers and ratepayers should not be held accountable for corporate negligence It is time polluters pay to clean up their own messes.

MDHHS’ Do Not Contact advisory advises people and pets to avoid contact with the waters of the Huron River between North Wixom Road in Oakland County and Kensington Road in Livingston County and includes Norton Creek downstream of the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oakland County, Hubbell Pond, also known as Mill Pond in Oakland County and Kent Lake in Oakland and Livingston Counties.

The recommendation asks residents:

More information can be found on the EGLE website as well as the dedicated webpages of the Oakland and Washtenaw Counties Health Departments and the City of Ann Arbor.

The MDHHS MI Toxic Hotline for questions about potential health effects or exposures can be reached at 1800-648-6942, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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