To: Bethel Skinker, MDEQ Lansing District Office Supervisor

From: Angie Goodman, Water Quality Administrator

cc: T. Olsen, Sparrow Hospital

Mike Wesenberg, DHHS
Scott Hamelink, BWL Water Operations
Lori Myott, BWL Environmental Services

Date: October 30, 2017

RE: Water Quality Analysis - Sparrow Hospital, St. Lawrence Campus

This memo is to document the events and results of the water quality concern at the Sparrow Hospital, St.
Lawrence Campus at 1210 W. Saginaw St, Lansing, MI. During this investigation, I interacted with Bethel
Skinker, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), T. Olsen, Sparrow Hospital Manager of
Buildings and Grounds, Mike Wesenberg, Michigan Department of Health and Human Service, Lansing Board of
Water & Light (BWL) Environmental Services Laboratory, and BWL Executive Staff.

Mr. Olsen expressed concern that, throughout the hospital, they have experienced sporadic black particulate in
the water since performing a valve repair on an internal line. Mr. Olsen explained the valve is part of a 4
galvanized supply line through the building. The hospital temporarily installed point of entry filters to
determine if the particulate was coming in from the BWL water supply; Mr. Olsen indicated the filters showed
no sign of the particulate.

To assist with this investigation, I made two visits to the hospital on Friday, October 27, 2017, to conduct visual
observations and collect various samples. On my first visit I read total chlorine levels and collected total
coliform samples for analysis at four unique sinks (see table for locations). I did not detect any particulate in
the water supply at these sinks. I saw black particulate in the bottom of an existing filter canister at a location
downstream of the valve repair. I also collected a sample from that filter canister for microscope analysis.
After further discussion with Ms. Skinker, I returned to the hospital to collect samples for lead, copper,
manganese and zinc. I collected samples from the womens bathroom, which is the first location after the
valve repair. The second sample was from the filter canister which had black particulate present. The findings
are summarized below.
Location Date T. Chlorine T. Coliform Comments (samples
(ppm) collected from cold water)
Mechanical Rm upstream of 10/27/17 1.15 Negative No particulate visible
valve repair
Womens Restroom, 1st sample 10/27/17 1.15 Negative No particulate visible
location downstream of valve
repair
Wound Clinic farthest from valve 10/27/17 0.54 Negative No particulate visible
repair on main level
Emergency Room Sink 10/27/17 1.03 Negative No particulate visible

Location Date Metals Analysis (ppb) Comments

Pb Cu Mn Zn
Womens Restroom, 1st sample 10/27/17 ND ND 1.5 ND No particulate visible
location downstream of valve
repair
Filter Canister after valve repair 10/27/17 ND 160 3.5 87 Sample was taken from the
bottom of the filter canister
particulate was visible
ND = Non-detect

The particulate from the filter canister was further analyzed, using a stereo microscope, to determine the
composition. Four distinct types of particles were observed: reddish brown particles, brownish metallic
particles, a white fibrous particle, and black particles. The reddish brown and brownish metallic particles are
consistent with Iron Oxide. The white fibrous particle most likely is a small piece of filter media. The black
particles under magnification appeared very granular and crystalline. The black particles appeared unaffected
by the addition of hydrogen chloride, ruling out manganese oxide as a possible source. They were then placed
in a butane flame, and after several seconds the particle briefly glowed red. After exposure to the flame the
particle appeared unchanged visually, but under pressure would crumble into smaller particles. The particles
crystalline appearance and relative resistance to heat seems to rule out plastic or rubber. Consequently, the
black particles appear to most likely be activated carbon.

Based on the analysis discussed herein, I confirmed that the water in the building meets or exceeds the water
quality requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality. We hope you will find the conclusions helpful.