The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) conducted residential well water sampling at several locations near the Allegan Metal Finishing Company (AMFCO) following a fire at the facility in 2015. USEPA assistance was requested in the summer of 2017, when Chromium concentrations in three wells exceeded the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water of 100 micrograms per liter (μg/L). Additional sampling was conducted in the area downstream of AMFCO. The area includes residential homes and commercial buildings. The highest total chromium concentration detected was 22,000 μg/L.
After evaluation of a treatment systems, as well as new well installation, it was determined that extending the city water main would be the best option long term.