Cleanup of Detroit “green goo” contaminated site expected to cost millions

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The cleanup of an industrial site in suburban Detroit from which contaminated water leaked last month will likely cost millions of dollars, officials of Michigan’s environmental agency said Wednesday.

Tracy Kecskenmeti of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy told Michigan lawmakers efforts to contain the leak at the Electro-Plating Services Inc. site in Madison Heights has cost at least $200,000 over 24 days. She said the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances could triple the cost of removing contaminated water and soil from the site.

Electro-Plating Services was shut down by state regulators in 2016 due to mismanagement of industrial waste. An EPA cleanup removed toxic chemicals and contaminated liquids. The leak of bright green goo onto the shoulder of Interstate 696 last month prompted a new investigation. It found high levels of numerous toxins in soil and groundwater at the site, including hexavalent chromium, which is associated with cancer, kidney and liver damage.

EGLE Director Leisl Clark told lawmakers she is “disappointed” in what transpired in Madison Heights and the agency is reviewing decisions and processes regarding property owner Gary Sayers.

Learn more about this contamination incident and about PFAS on Great Lakes Now:

Superfund cleanup considered for Detroit ‘green goo’ site

EPA collects 11K gallons of water from Detroit contaminated site

Plenty of contaminants found at Detroit-area industrial site

Featured image: This photo provided by Michigan Department of Transportation shows toxic chemical substances that leaked along Interstate 696 in Madison Heights, Mich., on Dec. 20, 2019. (Michigan Department of Transportation via AP)