SPOKANE, Wash. — Groundwater contamination in Spokane County continues to be top of mind for some residents, but the concern has now reached Spokane's airport and the state's ecology department.
The state of Washington is stepping in to begin cleaning up per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in the groundwater near the Spokane International Airport (GEG). However, the Washington Department of Ecology told KREM 2 its now issued an enforcement order, requiring the airport to investigate the extent of the contamination and come up with clean solutions.
The move comes after airport officials failed to sign an agreement of their own.
A March 12 letter between the state of Washington and airport CEO Larry Krauter states, "Ecology is disappointed that after five months of negotiations, Spokane International Airport remains unable to sign the agreement order." The letter goes on to say the airport failed to notify the state it has detected PFAS in groundwater samples collected in 2017 and 2019.
You can read the full letter below:
"The lack of required notification has delayed site cleanup work by more than two years," the Department of Ecology said.
As part of the enforcement order, the department is also asking for public input on locations or back history that should be included in the investigation.
Comments and suggestions can be submitted here through May 27, 2024.
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