Huron River tests do not detect toxic chemicals, but ‘no contact' advisory remains

Michigan officials said Thursday that a cancer-causing chemical released by a Wixom-based automotive supplier has not been detected in the Huron River, but testing is being expanded and a "no contact" advisory remains in place.

Eleven surface water samples tested negative for hexavalent chromium after Tribar Manufacturing dumped what it said late Thursday was 10,000 gallons of contaminated liquid into Wixom's sewer system.

Testing for the chemical continues across two dozen sites near the molding plant and downstream from it, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. EGLE is leading the investigation.

"Though the results to date are non-detect, EGLE is expanding its monitoring to ensure public health protection," the release said. "Investigators are testing sewage material within the Wixom treatment plant to determine if contamination remains bound up with the sludge inside the plant."

Investigators are conducting tests at 29 different locations along the river system, including Kent Lake and near Barton Pond, where Ann Arbor draws its drinking water. State officials said the testing there is being done as a precaution and it would take several weeks at minimum for the streamflow to reach Ann Arbor's intake.

Crain's left messages with the city of Ann Arbor on Thursday for more information about how it is addressing the potential contamination.

EGLE said officials inspected the Tribar plant Wednesday, but declined to share details of what was learned.

In a statement sent to Crain's late Thursday, Tribar said it discovered Monday that approximately 10,000 gallons of a 5 percent hexavalent chromium plating solution used in the production process at its plant at 48668 Alpha Drive was released to Wixom's wastewater treatment plant.

"Upon discovering the release, Tribar took immediate action, including making certain the release was stopped and contacting the wastewater treatment plant. The company also self-reported the incident to the State of Michigan," the company said in the statement.

"Tribar takes the health and safety of our neighbors and community, as well as the protection of the environment, very seriously. We are working with the City of Wixom and the State of Michigan on continued testing and response activity. ... Tribar continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release and will take appropriate action to prevent a reoccurrence. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more."

EGLE said the company first notified it of contamination at 3:21 p.m. Monday. The contamination could have started as early as Saturday, the company told EGLE. The department issued a media advisory about the spill Tuesday.

Wixom City Manager Steve Brown told Crain's that the city issued a cease-and-desist order to the company Monday.

Officials recommend all people and pets avoid contact with the Huron River between North Wixom Road in Oakland County and Kensington Road in Livingston County, including Norton Creek downstream of the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant at 2059 Charms Road, Hubbell Pond (Mill Pond) and Kent Lake.

Hexavalent chromium, the chemical found in the green ooze spill on I-696 in Madison Heights in 2019, can cause harm through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation. The chemical is widely used in manufacturing and metal plating, which is a prevalent industrial process among tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers throughout Michigan.

"It's a chemical that shows up on pretty much any hazardous substance list you can find," said Oday Salim, attorney for the National Wildlife Federation and director of UM's Environmental Law & Sustainability Clinic.

Salim said enforcement of unlawful dumping of chemicals into public waterways could be done at the state, local and federal levels. Considering Tribar Manufacturing's prior violations for PFAS, he said, authorities need to conduct thorough investigations and deliver appropriate penalties.

"It would be the second time that this company has engaged in a very public violation of environmental laws, and that is serious," he said. "This is serious enough that a lot of attention needs to be paid."