Kent County approves bond to fund PFAS pretreatment at landfill sites

Kent County commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 48 authorizing the Department of Public Works refuse disposal system bond series 2026 to fund PFAS pretreatment at several landfill sites, including North Kent, South Kent and Kentwood landfills.

Director Boss told the board the county will continue to use granulated activated carbon (GAC) and will deploy foam fractionation at South Kent, Kentwood and North Kent landfills to remove and consolidate PFAS prior to disposal. "Foam fractionation is a technology along with granulated activated carbon," the director said, describing the county’s 20‑year life‑cycle analysis that favored the selected treatment approach.

Why it matters: Kent County has a high number of PFAS‑impacted sites and faces regulatory requirements from multiple agencies, including EGLE and local wastewater authorities, when discharging treated water. Commissioners framed the bond as a necessary investment to treat leachate and groundwater before it reaches public treatment systems and surface waters.

Commissioner discussion covered both environmental and fiscal concerns. Several commissioners supported the project’s environmental rationale but pressed staff about issuance costs, long‑term interest expense and who would ultimately bear the cost. One commissioner noted issuance and interest costs over the life of the bonds could be material; another asked whether the county could require private responsible parties to contribute. Director Boss and fiscal staff said the Department of Public Works would manage repayment through existing surcharge and tipping fee mechanisms and that some federal and state recovery funds had already been received to offset liability.

The board recorded the roll call as 21 yeas, 0 nays. Commissioner Pacla emphasized that bond proceeds would largely replace an existing $3.6 million debt and that the issuance would move the DPW toward a debt‑free position after the replacement, noting packet figures that the proposed issuance would represent about 2.7% of the county’s total debt load.

The county's packet and director's presentation indicated interagency coordination will be required with the City of Grand Rapids, North Kent Sewer Authority, City of Wyoming and EGLE for discharge and compliance. Director Boss cautioned he would rely on toxicologists and state/federal standards for final safe‑level determinations and reiterated the county's aim to substantially reduce PFAS concentrations prior to discharge.

Next steps: With the resolution adopted, county staff will move forward with bond closing and procurement of treatment systems; DPW will continue regulatory coordination and public updates as system design and site deployment proceed.