We have been proactively testing and reporting PFAS levels since 2020. In 2023, we began a quarterly program of testing and reporting for PFAS in drinking water. During this time, we’ve been evaluating drinking water filtration technologies to remove PFAS from the water supply. These mitigation strategies will help us continue to provide clean, reliable drinking water to our community.

We are currently planning and designing PFAS treatment system upgrades for both Water Station 14 and Water Station 4. We’ll start working with a design firm for improvement plans at Water Station 9 later this year. As long-term mitigation upgrades are implemented, both PFOS and PFAS concentrations in our water system will decrease. These filter treatment systems will allow our water utility to continue to meet the community’s expectation of safe, reliable water service.

Water Station 14

Water Station 14 PFAS sampling has consistently been the highest of all water stations and has been at or exceeded state and federal regulations. Treatment for this water station has been identified as a priority. Designs are a little over halfway completed to remove PFAS contaminates. We are designing a new full-scale PFAS filter treatment system for this site.

Location: Northeast Andresen Road and Northeast 78^th Street

Construction: Anticipated to start in spring/summer 2025; work will continue at the site for two years.

Funding: This project was awarded a $12.5 million forgivable loan from the Washington State Department of Health through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program.

Project Elements:

• Install six new pressure vessels with Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system to meet EPA’s finalized regulations on PFAS.
• Improve the water station site with upgraded electrical and pumping facilities.

Water Station 4

Water Station 4 sampling has consistently been at or exceeded the state and federal regulations. Upgrades are needed to remove PFAS contamination, and this water station has been identified as a priority for treatment. We are designing a new full-scale PFAS filter treatment system for this site.

Location: Southwest corner of South Blandford Drive and East Fifth Street

Construction: Anticipated to start in fall 2025; work will continue at the site for two years.

Funding: This project was awarded $25 million through local, state and federal funding. The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Public Works Board awarded $10 million in a low-interest loan. The Washington State Department of Health through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund awarded $15 million, $3 million is a low-interest loan with the remaining $12 million being a forgivable loan.

Project Elements:

• Install new pressure vessels with Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system to meet EPA’s finalized regulations on PFAS.
• Upgrade electrical and pumping facilities, along with street frontage improvements.
• Construct a new building to house disinfection treatment system replacement as the existing chlorine gas disinfection system will be replaced with an onsite sodium hypochlorite generation system (OSHG).

Water Station 9

Status: We will be contracting with an engineering design firm to plan PFAS treatment improvements for this location during the end of 2024 and into 2025.

Location: Northeast 39th Street and Northeast 145th Avenue