Forest Hills residents are feeling a mix of fear and anger after discovering excessive levels of PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals, in their drinking water. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has identified Aspenwood Drive as the latest area under investigation for PFAS contamination, joining the Hillsboro and Irene areas already identified in Cascade Township. The contamination was first detected through a point-of-sale test when a home was being sold, revealing high levels of PFOA in the water. This triggered an investigation by the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, which found that nearly all homes in the neighborhood had elevated PFAS levels, except for a few. Residents are concerned about the health risks associated with PFAS, which can lower fertility rates, increase blood pressure and thyroid disease, and raise cholesterol levels. The discovery has left residents with questions about what steps to take, such as whether to boil water, install a whole-house system, or inform neighbors. Some residents have already installed reverse osmosis systems to reduce PFAS levels, but the chemicals are pervasive, and the source remains unknown. The state is working on long-term solutions, including a municipal water extension project in the Irene area and seeking funding for the larger Hillsboro area. Despite the ongoing investigation, residents are taking matters into their own hands, and the state is offering free point-of-use filters to homes with detectable PFAS levels. However, the future remains uncertain, as the source of the contamination is still unknown.
