Jenna Vogel and her husband moved to East Selah, Yakima County, in fall 2021. Days after settling in, the Yakima Training Center shared a news release informing residents that a dozen homes in the area had concentrations of forever chemicals in their water that exceeded federal drinking water standards. Their house was among those affected. Continue reading WA family filters water to keep out PFAS. Where do dirty filters go?
https://mailchi.mp/8de6ba40a1a0/nrwas-rural-water-wire-for-3046664?e=b780b0ee8b DUNCAN, Okla. — Kidde Fenwal, a well-known manufacturer of fire protection and suppression systems, has recently filed for bankruptcy.Kidde Fenwal has been associated with the use and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), resulting in significant contamination to water supplies across the U.S. The potential liability and cost to clean up PFAS contamination will be substantial. Many water systems may have a legitimate claim against Kidde Fenwal for contributing to this situation. Continue reading Legal Action Required in Response to Kidde Fenwal Bankruptcy
As the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act celebrate their 50th anniversaries, they are failing rural Americans. Continue reading Can I buy bottled water with food stamps?
Association vice-president and Town of Coupeville Public Works Director Joe Grogan received a Grace Under Pressure award, while Assocation director and former president John Lovie received a Lifetime Achievement award. Continue reading WIWSA Board Members honored for Drinking Water Week
Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act | Wastewater Digest (wwdmag.com) New legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate may help hold polluters accountable for PFAS cleanup costs under CERCLA — and the act is supported by prominent water … Continue reading Water agencies endorse Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act
Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from? | The Seattle Times SAN JUAN ISLAND — Every night, before the Ross family sits down at the dinner table and shares their highs and lows — … Continue reading Where did high levels of PFAS in San Juan Island water come from?
The Washington State Department of Ecology has updated the What’s In My Neighborhood (wa.gov) map to include the PFAS in drinking water sites in Island County that meet Ecology’s criteria for further investigation and cleanup. Visiting the site and clicking … Continue reading Ecology Map of PFAS in Island County
Check out this great series by Claire Nitsche and Barb Morrissey at the Washington State Department of Health Continue reading PFAS Basics: A series of videos by Washington State Department of Health
Key takeaways:
EPA will focus enforcement efforts on federal facilities, including military bases, and manufacturers
EPA proposes exempting from CERCLA liability State, tribal, or municipal airports, and tribal or local fire departments, in exchange for full cooperation with investigations.
The first is good news for residents near Ault Field and OLF whose water has been contaminated by firefighting activities at these Navy facilities, and the second for others whose water may have been contaminated by non-military firefighting activities. Continue reading CERCLA PFAS Enforcement Listening Sessions
Presentation from the March 2023 Quarterly Member Meeting. Downloadable PDF files with links. Continue reading March 2023 Member Meeting Presentations
What did EPA announce?
On March 14, 2023, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule for
regulating six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Over the next year, the
proposed rule will undergo an extensive public review and comment process. The final regulation may
differ from the proposal.
EPA proposed maximum contamination levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane
sulfonate (PFOS) and four parts per trillion (ppt) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Continue reading 2023 EPA Proposal to Regulate PFAS in
Drinking Water
An avid volunteer involved in countless projects around Puget Sound recently claimed the 2023 Jan Holmes award.
South Whidbey resident John Lovie is this year’s recipient of the annual award, which is named in memory of Jan Holmes, a marine scientist, educator and champion for stewardship of the marine environment who passed away in 2011.
The Island County Marine Resources Committee, Sound Water Stewards and Washington State University Extension presented Lovie with the award a few days ahead of Sound Waters University, which is when the winner of the award is usually announced.
Continue reading Whidbey ‘serial volunteer’ wins stewardship award
SEATAC — In the 1980s, rookie firefighters at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport endured a hazing ritual known as the “foam shower.”
Recruits stood some 150 feet down the tarmac with 5-gallon buckets and were told to catch firefighting foam shot out of a crash-response truck’s water cannon.
They would wear the usual helmet and heat-resistant gear, but still ended up drenched as the bubbly white liquid rained down on them. Continue reading Sea-Tac’s legacy of PFAS chemicals: ‘foam showers,’ sick firefighters and contaminated water
The calendar offers multiple ways to find the training you’re looking for. In addition to a chronological list of trainings, the calendar and filters let you refine your search by day, week, month, year and event category. Continue reading Free Washington Drinking Water Workshops
Presented to Evergreen Rural Water of Washington’s Annual Conference, Feb 15, 2023. Continue reading “Forever Chemicals” in Groundwater