Imagine waiting years for clean water while “forever chemicals” lurk in your tap. That’s the grim reality for families near Yakima, as Washington state pushes the Army for answers and action on PFAS contamination. But with test results showing filters fail and information scarce, what truly flows from the Army’s taps: solutions or more delays?
Years after dangerous “forever chemicals” known as PFAS were first detected in drinking water supplies surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Yakima Training Center, residents continue to grapple with a profound lack of clean water and transparency, prompting Washington state officials to intensify pressure on the U.S. Army for immediate action and accountability.
The root of this pervasive environmental crisis lies in decades of firefighting drills conducted at the Yakima Training Center, where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were routinely used. These resilient chemicals, renowned for their persistence in the environment, have since leached into the local groundwater, imperiling the health and well-being of nearby communities, particularly East Selah.
Exposure to PFAS carries severe health implications, as documented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These substances are linked to adverse effects on the immune, reproductive, and hormonal systems, and can significantly elevate the risks of high blood pressure and various cancers, casting a long shadow of anxiety over affected families.
Under the new leadership of Governor Bob Ferguson and Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller, Washington state has vocally challenged the Army’s “pattern of slow or no release of information.” State officials have explicitly faulted the Army for monthslong delays in crucial document provision, deemed quarterly progress reports incomplete, and repeatedly demanded clear data on household water provision and contamination extent.
Community frustrations run deep, as evidenced by recent meetings where East Selah residents voiced concerns over inconsistent communication regarding the Army’s efforts. Many reported issues with the installed water filtration systems, including their potential impact on electricity bills and fluctuating water pressure, alongside allegations of being blamed for delays in the filtration process.
Despite the Army’s assertion that 55 household water filtration systems have been installed in East Selah, ensuring safe drinking water, state officials remain in the dark regarding their precise locations and the number of homes still lacking access to either bottled water or functional filtration. Compounding the issue, Army tests themselves revealed PFAS in homes’ water *after* filters were installed, with some instances exceeding federal safety limits by more than 120 times, information not fully shared with the state or affected residents.
Ecology has steadfastly maintained that the Army has failed to comply with both state and federal cleanup laws, leaving critical questions unanswered. A primary concern is the Army’s inability, four years post-discovery, to define the full scope of contamination and account for all exposure pathways beyond just drinking water, hindering residents’ ability to make informed health decisions.
In response to the Army’s perceived inaction, state agencies are independently pursuing investigations. The Washington State Department of Health has identified PFAS contaminants in local animal products, prompting dietary recommendations for affected families. Furthermore, Ecology’s surface water tests downstream from the Yakima Training Center’s wastewater treatment plant detected PFOS, a particularly dangerous “forever chemical,” at levels over 200 times the federal drinking water safety limit in the Yakima River, underscoring the broad environmental impact.
