Yakima County Expands Free PFAS Well Water Testing Program
Well testing is expanding in Yakima County.
The Yakima Health District is offering its free PFAS well water sampling program to include additional households near the Yakima Training Center. The initiative aims to assess contamination and provide support to those impacted in the area.
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR WELL WATER TESTED?
PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals, have been detected in private water wells close to the Yakima Training Center, raising health concerns linked to high cholesterol, weakened immune response, and certain cancers. Under the expanded program, households within the designated area with individual or shared wells are eligible for free PFAS testing if they meet one of the following criteria:
Have never been tested for PFAS
Were previously tested, but results are older than one year
Are located in select areas north and northwest of the training center.
YOU'LL SEE THE RESULTS WITHIN A MONTH
Participating households will have water samples collected from an outdoor faucet, with results provided within four weeks. If PFAS levels exceed the new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), households may qualify for a complimentary point-of-use water filter. To schedule testing, residents can call 509-249-6555 or visit www.YakimaHealthDistrict.org/PFAS.
A SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT SATURDAY
Additionally, the Yakima Health District, in collaboration with Pursue PFAS Free, is hosting a community event on Saturday, October 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will take place outside the Firing Center Xpress Mart at 51 Firing Center Rd and will provide information about the PFAS well water sampling program, as well as updates on local and state initiatives to address PFAS contamination. Attendees can also learn about free PFAS livestock testing and available water filtration resources.
IT'S ONGOING WORK
Environmental Health Director Shawn Magee emphasized the importance of the program, stating, “We have been working closely with state and local agencies to monitor PFAS levels in the East Selah area and continue to provide resources to impacted homes. Recent data suggests that PFAS levels may be changing and affecting other areas of the community. I encourage households to take advantage of this free opportunity to test their water and ensure it is safe for their families.”
25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?
LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?
Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff
LOOK: 20 American foods that raise eyebrows outside of the US
Gallery Credit: Charlotte Barnett
LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore
Gallery Credit: Stacey Marcus