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Eastern Washington University presents PFAS findings, urges soil sampling and filters for affected wells
Summary
Dr. Chad Pritchard presented student and city sampling showing PFAS detections in shallow wells and discussed next steps: targeted soil and stormwater sampling, free point-of-use filters for affected households, and a proposed $9,000 provost-funded student sampling effort.
The council received an information update on PFAS contamination from Dr. Chad Pritchard of Eastern Washington University and city staff.
Dan Ferguson, city staff, introduced the item and said the council had requested an update on the community's PFAS status. "Council has requested an update on our PFAS status in the gene area, and Dr. Chad Pritchard from Eastern Washington University has kindly agreed to come down and give you an update," Ferguson said. (Dan Ferguson, City staff)
Dr. Pritchard summarized student sampling at Cheney Water Well 5 and nearby private wells. He told the council that federal guidance for PFOA and PFOS has tightened to about "4 parts per trillion," and that some earlier Cheney and Fairchild Air Force Base samples showed values "30 to 70 parts per trillion" under older standards. He explained that detection limits run near 1 part per trillion and reporting limits near 2 parts per trillion, and that the team uses EPA drinking-water methods. (Dr. Chad Pritchard, Eastern Washington University)
Pritchard said the pattern suggests contamination is concentrated in shallow groundwater and soils near likely sources; he recommended soil sampling in stormwater swales and training-center loci, removal or remediation of hot soils where feasible, and point-of-use filters for homes with elevated shallow-well results. He said the university is seeking a $9,000 provost-office award to pay students to collect soil samples at no cost to the city and that those samples would be run at an accredited lab to produce defensible results for further mitigation planning.
Council members asked technical questions and expressed appreciation for the presentation. No formal council action was taken on PFAS at this meeting; the item was presented as information and next steps were described.
