PFAS, a hazardous chemical found in firefighting foam, has been discovered in a few wells on Whidbey Island. While the Navy distributes bottled water and plans for expanded testing, homeowners worry about longlasting harm.
Navy officials say the bottled water is just a first step. It is unclear what else might be done, but the possibilities include finding new sources of drinking water for homes with contaminated wells, or installing filtration systems that will bring the chemical concentrations down below the EPA guideline.
The Navy also will bankroll more water testing in an expanded area to check for more problem wells.
So far, even as Navy officials pay for testing and bottled drinking water, they have yet to acknowledge that airfield operations were responsible for the pollution.