The Middleground Landfill is located on Middleground Island in the Saginaw River and in Bay City, Michigan. The landfill is owned by the City of Bay City and during its operation accepted both municipal and industrial waste. Landfill leachate containing PCBs began to migrate to the Saginaw River. Hydraulic barriers and reactive walls have been installed to address PCB contamination. However, when the Bay City Wastewater Treatment Plan (WWTP) required Per-& Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) testing of landfill leachate, PFAS contamination was found migrating to the river.
AKT Peerless has served as the technical lead for the City of Bay City and the PRP group, spearheading efforts to address PFAS contamination. Our team conducted comprehensive hydrogeologic investigations to delineate the full extent of the contamination, recently expanding the groundwater monitoring network by installing seven additional wells, bringing the total to 17. We have maintained ongoing groundwater monitoring to assess seasonal PFAS venting into the Saginaw River. Additionally, AKT Peerless conducted a pilot test to evaluate the effectiveness of “Plume Stop” as a reactive barrier, designed to contain PFAS contamination and prevent its migration into the river.
AKT Peerless conducted soil borings, installed monitoring wells, and collected soil and groundwater samples following EGLE’s PFAS Sampling Guidance Document, current ITRC guidance, and Laboratory Methods 537 Modified and ASTM D7979. This meticulous approach ensured the acquisition of reliable and defensible data.
The Plume Stop Pilot Study yielded critical insights necessary for designing and installing an effective barrier to protect the river. The study confirmed the feasibility of the barrier technology and provided data to optimize its placement and performance, ensuring long-term environmental protection.
