Farmington, Missouri (October 16, 2025) – The City of Farmington announced today that officials are discouraging the consumption of fish caught at Hager, Thomas, and Geissing Lakes in Farmington, due to recent environmental testing. 

In December 2024 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft human health criteria for per- and polyflouroalkyl substances (PFAS) in rivers, lakes and other water bodies for the purpose of protecting people from long-term health risks such as liver and immune system damage. PFAS is commonly used in manufacturing as mist and fume suppressants, wetting agents, corrosion inhibitors, coating additives, and dispersion products.

The draft recommended criteria in accordance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) reflect the latest scientific information regarding the human health effects, exposure information and bio accumulation potential for PFAS resulting from contact with contaminated water in water bodies, and consumption of fish and other aquatic wildlife harvested from contaminated water bodies.

Based on the issuance of the draft criteria the City of Farmington tested the water and sediment in City owned fishing lakes. The PFAS contamination in Hager Lake (Industrial Park), Giessing Lake (Engler Park), and Thomas Lake (Engler Park) were found to exceed the draft human health criteria issued by the US EPA. Consuming fish harvested from those lakes is not recommended.

The City and Missouri Department of Conservation cooperatively manage the lakes including the regular introduction of fish stock. Due to the possible health risks associated with consuming fish harvested from the three lakes, regular stocking of fish has been suspended. At the City’s direction, the annual stocking of trout for catch and release season from November first through February first has also been cancelled.

Signs will be installed as soon as possible at the lakes to advise users of the potential health risks associated with consumption of harvested fish. Park users may continue to catch and release fish from each of the lakes.

The City plans to conduct regular tests on the lakes to determine whether re-stocking operations may continue, or whether fish may be kept for consumption.

Farmington City Administrator, Greg Beavers said, "We regret having to impose these restrictions on park users. We have been aware of groundwater contamination resulting from industrial contamination in the industrial parks for a number of years, however, pollutant standards for lakes and rivers are emerging and not yet adopted. The new regulations may take several years to be implemented by Federal and State regulatory agencies. We think it is in the best interest of park users to restrict consumption in advance of any proposed rules."

For more information, please see the enclosed Draft National Recommended Human Health Ambient Water Quality Criteria for PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS Technical Fact Sheet. If you have questions, please call Farmington City Hall at 573.756.1701. 

Gregory S. Beavers, MPPA

City Administrator 

City of Farmington