15-04-2025
Kennewick water again found tainted with ‘forever chemicals.' What to know
For the second spring in a row the city of Kennewick has detected a 'forever chemical' in its drinking water that is above the action level set by the Washington state Board of Health.
The Washington state Department of Health recommends that Kennewick city customers who are pregnant, breastfeeding or mixing infant formula with tap water consider using another source of water.
Water sampled March 4 from its Ranney Collector source near the blue bridge had 16.7 parts per trillion of a certain type of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are synthetic chemicals used in consumer products around the world since the 1950.
They are sometimes called forever chemicals because they may last forever in the environment.
The finding follows water tested a year ago from the same city water source that was found to have 17.4 parts per trillion of PFAS.
The state limit is 15 parts per trillion, and under a Biden-era plan, the Environmental Protection Agency could take enforcement action starting in 2029 if 4 parts per trillion of PFAS are detected.
The chemicals are present in city water in very small quantities, said Jeremy Lustig, Kennewick deputy director for public works.
One part per trillion is equivalent to a single drop in enough water to fill 20 Olympic sized swimming pools.
The issue may be cyclical, showing up in the spring, Lustig said, after March samples two years in a row exceeded state levels of concern.
But data to show trends is still limited. The city has been following recent requirements to check water for PFAS four times a year.
The city is working with engineers at Hazen Sawyer on a treatment facility at the blue bridge water collector source to address PFAS, with design work on the project starting now.
The goal is to have the facility treating water before April 2028, Lustig said.
The project will cost an estimated $20 million to $30 million, and the city has recently received an award of $15 million in federal money from the Washington Department of Health Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program.
The Washington state Department of Health says that scientists are still studying how PFAS affect people's health, with much of the information available from toxicity testing in laboratory animals.
But higher exposure over many years to the type of PFAS detected in Kennewick water is believed to pose a risk of problems with cholesterol, liver, thyroid, kidney or immune systems or to having babies with lower birthweights.
Almost all Americans have some type of PFAS in their blood, according to the Washington state Department of Ecology.
Children up to age 5 and people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding may be more vulnerable to health impacts from these chemicals, the Department of Health said.
Boiling water does not reduce PFAS. But some home water treatments are effective, including reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters certified to lower levels of PFAS.
Some bottled water also may contain PFAS. The Washington state Department of Health recommends looking for brands that have been purified with water filtration.
PFAS chemicals are tasteless, colorless and odorless. They build up in animals, fish, birds, plants and people, taking many years to leave people's bodies, according to the Washington state Department of Health.
They are produced to make many products, including stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, nonstick pans, fast food wrappers, grease-proof food containers, waterproof clothing and a particular kind of firefighting foam.
PFAS in firefighting foam is a key suspected source of PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Washington, according to the state Department of Ecology.
Over many years of manufacturing and use, the chemicals have been released into the environment from industrial plants, fire training sites, consumer products and other sources, according to the city of Kennewick.
Once released, PFAS do not break down easily and last for a long time in the environment, it said.
