PFAS Survey finds elevated PFAS levels from Dane Co Airport

PRESS RELEASE – February 6, 2025

In fall 2024 Friends of Starkweather Creek volunteers surveyed twenty waterbodies in Dane Co to measure levels of PFAS chemicals. We wanted to find out if PFAS were still flowing into Starkweather Creek and the downstream Yahara Lakes from longstanding  fire-fighting PFAS foam used at Dane Co Airport. We also sampled several other surface waters around Dane County for comparison.

PFAS showed up above state limits in Starkweather Creek flowing below the Airport and in downstream Lakes Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa. Outflow from Madison Metropolitan Sewage District into Badger Creek and Badger Mills Creek and the Wisconsin River indicated elevated levels but below state standards.

Other locations sampled revealed very low PFAS levels, including  Lake Mendota, Starkweather Creek above the Airport and East Branch, Nine Springs Creek, Black Earth Creek, Indian Lake, Fireman’s Park Beach in Verona, and Stewart Lake Beach in Mt Horeb.

Of course, these results can only display a limited, one-time look at PFAS pollution in Dane Co waters. More detailed, long-term sampling could reveal possible patterns.

We provide a detailed report on the sampling method, complete results, background, state and federal standards and an interactive map on our website <HERE>. 

Our organization calls for immediate and effective efforts to reduce the sources of this ongoing PFAS pollution and for regular monitoring of PFAS levels in Dane Co surface waters.

For more information, please contact: