After two months of operation, an expanded pump and treat system is already helping the Air Force reduce perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOS/PFOA, in groundwater migrating to Clark’s Marsh from the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base fire training area in Oscoda.

The expansion of the previous Air Force-installed system became operational in August. Initial sampling results show the expanded system is effectively treating the increased flow of PFOS/PFOA impacted groundwater to concentrations below the discharge limits established by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

The $4.7 million project expands an existing treatment system with six additional groundwater extraction wells. It also adds three granular activated carbon, or GAC, units to pre-treat extracted groundwater, and increases system treatment capacity from approximately 240 to 445 gallons per minute.

The Air Force is conducting a remedial investigation to determine the nature and extent of PFOS/PFOA contamination associated with historical operations at the former base. While the investigation continues, this action will reduce the migration of the contaminant plume, thereby reducing the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA migrating into Clark’s Marsh from the fire training area.