EPA Reaches Agreement with Gelman Sciences to Address Contaminated Aquifer in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Agency to host public meeting later this fall
CHICAGO (October 23, 2026) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a legal agreement with Gelman Sciences LLC to address contaminated soil and groundwater in Ann Arbor and Scio Townships in Michigan. The agreement establishes responsibilities for long-term remedial planning and near-term response actions at the site under EPA oversight.
“Since adding the Gelman Sciences site to the National Priorities List in March, EPA has moved quickly to put strong oversight and clear expectations in place,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. “This order provides a focused path for accelerating critical work to protect residents and advance long-term aquifer restoration, demonstrating EPA’s commitment to delivering effective and timely Superfund cleanups.”
The agreement, known as an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent, requires the company to:
- Conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study which will determine the nature and extent of the contamination and evaluate potential cleanup approaches.
- Excavate soils contaminated with 1,4-dioxane from the former burn pit area on Gelman’s property.
- Increase the groundwater extraction and treatment rates in the eastern groundwater plume to reduce the spread of groundwater contamination.
- Install additional groundwater monitoring wells to further define the easternmost extent of 1,4-dioxane groundwater contamination.
- Provide grant funding for community groups to hire an independent technical advisor to help interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, and EPA’s proposed actions.
A state-level consent judgment obtained by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy remains in effect. Work ordered under the state’s consent judgment includes installation of groundwater extraction and monitoring wells, on-site remediation for groundwater and soils, and annual sampling of residential wells.
Background
From 1963-1986, Gelman Sciences manufactured medical filters, a process that discharged wastewater containing 1,4-dioxane into surrounding ponds, thereby creating a contaminated groundwater plume. The 1,4-dioxane groundwater plume is approximately three miles long and one mile wide and has migrated into aquifers that supply drinking water. Health risks of 1,4-dioxane include liver and kidney damage and cancer.
1,4-dioxane exceedances in private wells have already prompted residential drinking water wells to be abandoned and residents to tie into municipal water lines. In 2001, the city of Ann Arbor closed its municipal drinking water well, known as the Montgomery Wellfield, due to the presence of 1,4-dioxane.
The state nominated the site for inclusion on the National Priorities List in 2021. Following site assessments and public comments, in March 2026 EPA finalized adding the site to the NPL.
More information is available on EPA’s Gelman Sciences website.
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