West Plains PFAS Water Update

What Local Property Owners and Buyers Need to Know

For homeowners, prospective buyers, and property investors in the West Plains region, local water quality is one of the most critical factors impacting real estate values, daily living, and public health.

Recently, the Washington Department of Ecology released an important official update regarding the ongoing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination cleanup tied to the Spokane International Airport (SIA).

Because water safety and environmental compliance directly influence real estate transactions, property disclosures, and local development, staying informed on these updates is essential. Here is a clear, breakdown of the latest developments, where the cleanup process stands, and the exact steps residents should take today.

The Latest Regulatory Update from the Department of Ecology

The Washington Department of Ecology serves as the regulatory supervisor for environmental cleanups across the state. In its latest communication, Ecology issued a formal Notice of Non-Compliance to the three designated responsible parties overseeing the area's remediation:

• Spokane International Airport (SIA)

• The City of Spokane

• Spokane County

Key Issues Cited by Regulators

When an environmental cleanup is conducted under state supervision, responsible parties are legally required to follow specific protocols and fully incorporate regulatory feedback into their action plans. Ecology reported that the airport, city, and county have repeatedly failed to incorporate required comments on draft documents and progress reports, causing delays in delivering long-term safe water solutions to West Plains residents.

Specific concerns raised regarding the airport’s second draft of the long-term safe water plan include:

• Inadequate Testing Frequency: Proposed private well sampling schedules did not meet state-required frequencies.

• Overly Restrictive Eligibility Criteria: A proposed requirement that private properties within the designated action area be purchased or developed, and their wells drilled, by April 17, 2025, to qualify for support.

• Unilateral Source Determination: SIA attempting to independently decide whether it is the primary source of PFAS for individual wells, despite Ecology having already established responsibility across the entire defined interim action area.

• Lack of Clear Timelines: The absence of a committed schedule for completing key phases of the safe water deployment.

To resolve these bottlenecks, Ecology is requiring all three entities to revise all outstanding documents to address state comments, streamline communications between project coordinators, and elevate the priority of this public health remediation.

Financial Support and Future Infrastructure Plans

Despite administrative delays, critical funding steps are moving forward to secure permanent, long-term drinking water solutions for the affected community.

Ecology has completed its review of a $23.68 million Oversight Remedial Action Grant application submitted by Spokane County. This funding request is being included in the state’s ranked proposal list submitted to the Governor.

If legislative funding is approved, these capital resources will be allocated toward:

1. Comprehensive testing for private drinking wells.

2. Installation of point-of-entry wellhead treatment and filtration systems.

3. Extension of public municipal water lines into eligible neighborhoods where feasible.

While infrastructural expansions take time, this grant allocation marks a major step toward long-term water stability and property value protection for the West Plains.

Ongoing Environmental Investigations & Testing Site Access

Simultaneously, the investigation into the full geographic scope of contamination is progressing. The responsible parties submitted a draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan designed to map the complete footprint of PFAS in both soil and groundwater originating from airport grounds.

While Ecology finishes its formal review of the overall plan, targeted field testing is beginning. On September 1, SIA initiated environmental sampling in the Joint Fire Training Area. Performing initial testing in this location aligns with pre-scheduled airport maintenance, allowing access to a restricted area without interrupting ongoing air field operations. Ecology provided procedural directives for sample collection in this sector to ensure the resulting data can be formally integrated into the broader remediation record.

Action Items for West Plains Homeowners, Buyers, and Sellers

Whether you currently own a home in West Plains, plan to sell, or are evaluating a property purchase in the area, taking proactive steps regarding well testing and water filtration is vital.

1. Verify If Your Property is in the Interim Action Area 🗺️

Determining whether a home falls within the official Ecology-defined interim action area is the first step for any real estate transaction or property review in the zone.

How to Check Your Address Online:

1. Access the Map Spokane digital mapping tool.

2. Click the Layers icon (the stacked paper symbol in the upper right corner).

3. Ensure Map Layers, Environment, and PFAS Interim Action Area are checked. The target zone will highlight in orange.

4. Type your full street address into the search bar. If your parcel sits inside the orange area, you reside within the active interim action zone.

Alternatively, you can verify property status by contacting local administration at 3-1-1 (or 509-755-2489) or emailing gegwater@spokaneairports.net.

2. Sign Up for Free Well Testing and Filter Support 🧪

If your private well is located inside the interim action area and has not been evaluated, you can request testing and emergency water supplies at no cost.

• Visit gegwater.com to fill out the online request form or access a paper survey.

• Unsure of specific technical details about your well? You may leave unknown fields blank on the form—the priority is registering your location for testing.

• 
  

3. Join the Free Filter Performance Study 👩‍🔬

For residents who already have filtration systems installed, a research partnership between the West Plains Water Coalition and the University of Colorado Boulder is actively seeking local volunteers to test filter effectiveness.

• Phase 1 (Current Need): Sampling existing water filters in up to 60 local homes to evaluate current performance. Each participating home receives a single comprehensive test. Volunteers are currently needed for this phase.

• Phase 2: Installing advanced under-sink or whole-house filtration units in 12 selected homes, followed by three rounds of testing over time.

• How to Volunteer: Interested homeowners can inquire directly by emailing filters@westplainswater.org.

What This Means for Local Real Estate

Transparency is key when navigating property transactions near environmental management zones. Sellers in the West Plains should ensure all required property disclosures regarding well testing results and water sources are accurate and complete. Buyers looking in the area should work with knowledgeable local professionals who understand how to check parcel boundaries against the PFAS interim action map, verify filtration equipment, and navigate well testing contingencies during escrow.

Staying informed ensures that health, safety, and property investments remain well-protected. Further updates will be shared as the Department of Ecology releases new findings and legislative funding decisions are finalized.