Spokane, WASH — Spokane County voters in Cheney, Medical Lake, Airway Heights and unincorporated West Plains areas will decide whether to establish an aquifer protection area in the August 4th primary election.
The ballot measure addresses water contamination from PFAS chemicals—a byproduct of firefighting foam used at Spokane Airport. An aquifer protection area allows communities to monitor water quality and implement safeguards to prevent future contamination. Several cities in Spokane County have already established similar protections.
For West Plains residents who have already experienced unsafe drinking water, the measure represents a critical step toward protecting their water supply. Many homeowners in the area require water filtration systems to make their water safe for drinking and household use.
John Hancock, a West Plains resident who has dealt with PFAS-contaminated water for years, said the measure is essential. “It’s not unlimited. Let’s take care of it. It’s a stewardship duty that we can take and the opportunity for West Plains voters to signal that it matters to them is what this referendum is about,” Hancock said.
Reid Oakes, another affected resident, emphasized the need for protection against future contamination. “There’s nothing saying that another contamination event or another thing might come in and further contaminate our water that might be harder to re-mediate or deal with. So the aquifer protection act is about trying to create some protection about that,” Oakes said.
The financial commitment is modest. If the measure passes, residents would pay up to $2.50 per month in fees over 20 years, totaling approximately $30 per year. “We’re talking about less than the price of a bottle of water per month,” Oakes said.
Ballots will be mailed to Spokane County voters in these jurisdictions in the coming weeks.
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