While there are many sources of river pollution, some contaminants are more prevalent. Currently, HRWC is addressing these chemical contaminants.
PFAS
Raise our voice, never letting up. HRWC is working with the State, researchers, and other organizations to address PFAS. We have also coordinated community events for the public to learn about the status of research and action directly from experts and local and state representatives.
HRWC has developed a clear strategy for state and federal governments to follow. Although PFAS contamination will remain in the river for years to come, we can take steps now to protect our water for future generations.
Learn more about PFAS and what’s new1,4-Dioxane
Advocating for a better cleanup. Growing concern for the river led HRWC to intervene in an ongoing court case against Gelman Sciences, joining forces with the City of Ann Arbor, Scio Township and Washtenaw County to enforce a better cleanup of contamination in the watershed. Gelman is responsible for a large 1,4-dioxane plume that is spreading beneath western Ann Arbor and Scio Township due to decades of pollution from their facility on Wagner Road. We advocated for a cleanup plan that used stricter standards and that required additional response activities and immediate and ongoing action to limit the spread of the plume.
During the court case, elected officials from the City of Ann Arbor, Scio and Ann Arbor townships, and Washtenaw County held forums to discuss the option of pursuing Superfund designation for the dioxane plume, which would place the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in charge of cleanup activities at the site instead of the State of Michigan. In 2021 the State petitioned the EPA to classify the Gelman plume as a federal Superfund site. EPA is assessing the site to determine if it can come into the Superfund program. In the meantime, Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is in charge of enforcing the court-ordered cleanup.
HRWC continues to work with municipal partners to ensure the interests of the river and its ecosystem are represented despite being dismissed from the lawsuit in 2022 by the Michigan Court of Appeals. We remain committed to seeking the best possible immediate and ongoing cleanup that limits the spread of the 1,4-dioxane contamination and protects the river and public health.
Learn more about 1,4-DioxaneCoal Tar
Demanding safer sealing to protect people and the environment. HRWC advocates for policy changes and educates residents to protect the watershed from toxic coal tar sealcoats.
In Michigan, coal tar-based sealcoat is applied widely on driveways, parking lots, and even playgrounds. Sealcoat applicators and their customers say the product enhances the look of weathered asphalt surfaces and prolongs product life. However, coal tar sealcoat can pose significant risks to human health and aquatic life.
HRWC has worked with municipal partners to enact ordinances that prohibit the use of sealcoats containing high PAH coal tar in favor of safer alternatives. Eleven townships in the watershed and eight other communities across the state have banned the use of coal tar-based sealcoats. We are also advocating for a statewide ban of theses harmful products.
Learn more about coal tar