Residents raise PFAS concerns; city says state assured water is safe

Residents in Mount Clemens raised questions at the March 5, 2018 commission meeting about PFAS test results and city communication after statewide testing showed trace amounts in local water systems.

Ruthie Stevenson, a resident who spoke during public comment, said she and others first learned about the testing from television and online news rather than direct city notification: "you know your water is bad in that area and I said what are you talking about ... I was just wondering why the citizens of Mount Clement weren't made aware prior to us hearing it on channel 24 and 7." (Transcript spelling corrected to Mount Clemens.)

In the city manager's report, City Administration addressed media attention to the statewide PFAS testing and said staff "met with the Department of Environmental Quality who has assured the city that the drinking water is safe." The report directed residents seeking more information to the Michigan Environmental Assistance Center at 800‑662‑9278 or the state website.

Officials did not provide additional local laboratory figures or a full distribution list for public notices during the meeting. Staff invited residents to contact the state assistance center for testing methodology and detailed results.

The exchange highlights community concern about how and when residents are notified of water‑quality findings; the city’s next communications and any follow‑up detail from the Department of Environmental Quality were not announced during the meeting.