BWL discovers significant boron contamination in private wells

SATURDAY, Feb. 11 — After a month-long initiative to calm fears over potential groundwater contamination caused by waste from the Lansing Board of Water & Light’s Erickson Power Plant, the public utility announced Friday afternoon that six private wells contain significantly more boron than is considered safe for human consumption.

The six wells are located within three quarters of a mile from the Erickson coal-burning electric power plant in Delta Township. Four wells serve private residences, while two serve businesses. None of the BWL’s water wells tested positive for the chemical, a BWL statement said.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy established the safe limit at 0.5 mg per liter of water. The wells came in at between 2.48 mg/L and 4.17 mg/L — significantly higher than allowed under Michigan rules and regulations.

The boron discovery in private wells is not necessarily a surprise. City Pulse reported in January high levels of dangerous chemicals were detected in containment areas around the plant in 2020.

“BWL takes responsibility for this situation, and we’ll move mountains to make it right for those who are affected,” said General Manager Dick Peffley, in a press release issued Friday. “When I think about how I would feel if my home was impacted, I’d want to know that immediate steps are being taken and a permanent fix is in the works. That’s exactly what we are going to do.”

City Pulse reported on the concerns over coal ash, the burn byproduct of coal-fired electrical generation. It is often contaminated with heavy metals that do not burn during the process, instead congealing into a more concentrated amount. boron is one of those chemicals of concern. It has been linked to abnormal fetal development as well as impacts on the male reproductive system.