AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — A new task force aimed at protecting the community against contaminated water wants to hear from affected residents as it develops a new home water filter.
On October 16, the new West Plains PFAS Response Task Force will host a listening session to hear from members of the community who use existing PFAS filters about how a new design could improve PFAS filtration.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally and can accumulate in the environment and human body over time.
PFAS are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental defects, and toxicity to fish and wildlife.
Since 2017, hundreds of homes in the West Plains area have been dealing with PFAS-contaminated water.
According to the West Plains Water Coalition, $7.5 million in Washington State capital funding will provide free, whole-house water filters for hundreds of homes in the West Plains with the highest PFAS levels.
For the October listening session, the task force invites community members who rely on PFAS water filters to share their feedback about their filter systems, their satisfaction, home and agricultural water needs and recommendations for an ideal filter.
The session will take place on Thursday, October 16 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. at the Spokane County Library, Airway Heights Branch (1213 S. Lundstrom Street).
For more information, visit www.westplainswater.org or email info@westplainswater.org.
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