WEST PLAINS, Wash. – New test results reveal concerning levels of PFAS contamination in the West Plains area, affecting communities like Airway Heights and Medical Lake.
Community members gathered at an event hosted by the West Plains Water Coalition, where Eastern Washington University Professor Chad Pritchard shared findings from groundwater testing.
PFAS, often referred to as a “forever chemical,” has been detected in several local bodies of water, such as the Spokane River. While PFAS levels in the river are not toxic, some regions, including West Medical Lake, show toxic levels. During summer, Dr. Pritchard and his students sampled an additional 100 sites in the area, and a full report is anticipated by June 2025.
Marcie Zambryski, a local resident, discovered toxic PFAS levels in her well water after suffering the tragic loss of her husband. “I found out I had PFAS in my water 6 months after my husband passed away. And then I started reading about what it causes, and lo and behold, it caused most of his illnesses,” Zambryski said. While Zambryski cannot be certain the water was the cause, she mentioned her husband’s experiences mirrored common effects of prolonged PFAS exposure.
John Hancock, president of the West Plains Water Coalition, emphasized the severity of the situation. “The level from this contamination on the West Plains is far, far higher than the background level you could see of PFAS chemicals in everyday life,” he stated.
In March and June 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency tested 411 private wells in the area, discovering that 57 percent contained PFAS levels exceeding safe drinking water standards.
PFAS contamination has been linked to past firefighting efforts at Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane International Airport. These airfields are not considered responsible, as the chemicals in fire retardants are the actual culprit. These concerns extend to the Spokane River, where rising PFAS levels are found.
To help address these concerns, water filters designed to remove “forever chemicals” are available online and are recommended for residents in polluted areas. The Department of Ecology has expanded free testing options earlier this year.
