Landfill neighbors worry about PFAs contamination seeping into drinking water

For years, some people who live near a Central Washington landfill have worked to fix what they say are pollution problems at the site. Now, they are worried about their drinking water. 

State-run testing has found elevated levels of “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, at the site. The advocacy group, Friends of Rocky Top, says the chemicals could be in well water.  

PFAs are manufactured chemicals, like those found in firefighting foam or adhesive. They’re known to seep into groundwater, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure could lead to decreased fertility, developmental effects in children or increased risks of some cancers, according to the EPA. 

In the past, Friends of Rocky Top has fought against a landfill fire, pungent odors and litter blowing off the Rocky Top Environmental landfill, formerly known as the DTG landfill. 

“ As we were trying to deal with those problems, we learned more and we discovered that the groundwater was at risk because the monitoring system wasn’t that great,” said Nancy Lust, Friends of Rocky Top chair.

The group had raised concerns that PFAs-contaminated soil was dumped at the landfill. After their protests, the owners installed new monitoring wells, and reported that testing showed PFAs amounts “above cleanup levels,” according to the state Department of Ecology. 

Levels at one well reached  21 nanograms per liter. The EPA considers levels too high at 4 nanograms per liter.

According to a March 5 groundwater memo, “The PFAs present in groundwater appear to resemble typical landfill leachate.”

The landfill owners plan to install additional monitoring wells to determine the size of the plume, likely starting drilling this spring.

The contamination was not suspected to be connected to the PFAs plume in Selah from the Yakima Training Center.

The Yakima Health District could help test an estimated 40 nearby wells for free. 

“The amount of the contamination and the plume size is completely unknown. We have no idea where that plume is gone or if we’re even going to find it in neighbors’ wells,” said Scott Cave, a consultant for Friend of Rocky Top, at a recent community meeting.  

The Yakima Health District said it will provide under-the-sink filtration systems if PFAs contamination is too high. The systems make water safe for drinking and cooking, according to the heath district. Funding from the Washington State Department of Health covers the treatment system and its installation. Homeowners would cover any maintenance costs.

“For residents concerned about their water quality while awaiting test results, using bottled water for drinking and cooking is a precautionary measure. Certified water filters designed to reduce PFAS levels are also an option,” said Stephanie Ruiz, a spokesperson for the Yakima Health District.

Rocky Top Environmental landfill owners are drilling two new monitoring wells to figure out if the contamination has spread beyond the landfill to Yakima neighborhoods.

Lust said she recently got her well tested for PFAs, paying extra for a few more tests.

“ I’m still going to drink my water,” Lust said at the meeting. “I don’t have E. coli. (I have) a little bit of coliform, a little bit of nitrate, but I’m under the limit. So, I’m feeling a little bit better.”

The PFAs results for her water won’t be available for several more weeks, Lust said.

The health district is testing beyond the initial areas of concern to better evaluate the extent of contamination. PFAs results take four to six weeks, according to the health district. 

Lust urged other landfill neighbors to test their well water through the health district’s program. For people living outside the testing area, the health district recommended independent labs in Yakima that can test for PFAs.

“ Get the test done,” she said. “It can’t wait.” 

Neighbors at the meeting also pushed for better regulations. A bill that could increase landfill regulations recently passed out of the Washington state House. It’s now moving through the Senate.

If you live near the Rocky Top Environmental landfill (formerly DTG landfill) and would like your well tested, call the Yakima Health District at 509-249-6555.