AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — Toxic water from PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) or ‘forever chemicals’ is still an issue for many people who rely on well water in the West Plains.
However, the EPA and the Department of Defense are working together to help people affected by PFAS who live near Fairchild Air Force Base.
The Department of Defense is expected to start working on that project in early 2025.
The West Plains Water Coalition said some wells in that area have levels of PFAS that are 50 times higher than what the EPA considers safe.
“As a result of the last two years of effort here, the EPA, state ecology, state department of health, Spokane Regional Health District, Fairchild, have all stepped up to the best of their abilities to help us,” said West Plains Water Coalition President John Hancock.
Hancock said around one in seven people in Washington rely on well water for their homes and installing a filtration system for an entire house can cost thousands of dollars.
“I’ve had to put thousands of dollars in,” West Plains resident Reid Oakes said, “I’ve had to do tons of work and coordination and research on my own. I’ve had to basically manage those filters and the management of that effort myself. I have neighbors that can’t.”
Oakes said many of his neighbors only have a filter for one sink in their home and they don’t have the proper filter for any other water they might use for a shower, bathtub, or any outside faucet.
Oakes believes the airport needs to step up to help the people affected by toxic well water, whether that is providing filters or creating a new aquifer for residents to get clean water.
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