PFAS in the Spokane Water

Since PFAS was first found in Airway Heights City water, in 2017, the map of proven contamination has continued to expand. Beyond West Plains drinking water, PFAS has now been discovered in lakes, streams, and the Spokane River, and in municipal wells of Spokane and Cheney. Fire stations, industrial users, and agricultural biosolids are next in the scrutiny of potential sources, mirroring PFAS community experiences across the US. Firefighting foam from Fairchild and Spokane International Airport is the highest-level contamination, but EPA has determined that PFAS is dangerous at any level.

The guest speakers in this meeting will share recent results, observations, predictions, and recommendations.

Listener questions will be invited.

Watch the Livestream
https://youtube.com/live/SF0VgZTu–Y

Featuring
Chad J. Pritchard, PhD, Department Chair & Professor Department of Geosciences at Eastern Washington University, is also a professional environmental and geotechnical geologist who has led large-scale groundwater and geologic mapping projects in the Inland Northwest, including a major PFAS study for WA Dept. of Ecology.

Katelyn Scott leads Spokane Riverkeeper’s legal and policy efforts to protect clean water and healthy river flows. Raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation, she has a deep connection to the region’s waterways. She holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago and has a strong background in environmental advocacy. She interned with the EPA and Earth Law Center and worked as a whitewater rafting and kayak guide.

Marlene Feist is Public Works Director for the City of Spokane. She has been an administrator at the City for more than 25 years, recently receiving the YWCA 2025 Women of Achievement Award in Government and Public Service.

Ammi Midstokke is an adventurer, writer, and Outdoors columnist for the Spokesman Review, with a professional background in natural health and nutrition.

John Hancock is the Founder and President of the West Plains Water Coalition. He lives on Deep Creek in the rural West Plains, with well water contaminated by firefighting foam from Fairchild Air Force Base.

West Plains Water Coalition is a volunteer citizen group bringing attention to PFAS-polluted wells and groundwater across the West Plains region of Spokane, Washington. The Coalition is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

These events are funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology but are not necessarily endorsed by the agency. Each will be livestreamed on the Coalition YouTube Channel.