EFR HQ IVES

Last Updated: September 2024

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Ecology held a 45-day comment period (April 22 - June 6, 2024) for review of documents related to the following two cleanup sites in the Lower Issaquah Valley in King County.

1. EFR HQ IVES (Eastside Fire & Rescue Headquarters and Issaquah Valley Elementary School)
2. Rainier Trail & Memorial Field

Ecology also held an online meeting on Wednesday, May 1, and an in-person meeting on Thursday, May 2, 2024, to provide project information and answer questions.

These sites were identified due to releases of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to soil and groundwater. Investigations determined the likely source of PFAS is firefighting foam formerly used at the sites during lawful training activities. The potentially liable persons (PLPs) for the releases include the City of Issaquah (City) and Eastside Fire & Rescue (EF&R).

The following site documents were available for review and comment:

• An Agreed Order (legal agreement) for each site (Agreed Order EFR HQ IVES; Agreed Order RT&MF): legal document that requires the City and EF&R to investigate environmental conditions, complete a Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study, and a draft Cleanup Action Plan. 
• A combined Public Participation Plan for both sites: describes how Ecology will inform the community about site activities and ways to become involved.

Ecology has reviewed and considered the public comments received on the legal agreements and Public Participation Plan. Based on Ecology's evaluation of the comments, no changes to the documents were necessary, and both will be finalized.

View the Response to Comments summary document.

• 2024 through 2025: Complete studies of the sites (remedial investigations).
• 2025 through 2026: Initiate potential interim action(s) and consider options for cleanup (feasibility studies) for each site. 
• 2027 and beyond: Plan the cleanup (cleanup action plan), design the cleanup (engineering design), and implement the cleanup. Monitor, maintain, and review the sites.

Legal agreements, interim actions, remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and cleanup action plans will be available for public review and comment as described in the Public Participation Plan.

Join our email list to receive updates about the Lower Issaquah Valley PFAS cleanup sites. Email Kristen Forkeutis, Public Involvement Coordinator, at Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov to be added to the list. Unsubscribe at any time.

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. It provides requirements for contaminated site cleanup and sets standards that protect human health and the environment. Ecology enacts the MTCA and oversees cleanups.

The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps (see graphic) over a variable timeline.

Draft Lower Issaquah Valley PFAS sites Public Participation Plan 

This plan includes information for the public regarding opportunities to get involved in the cleanup process. The outreach activities and mechanisms presented reflect Ecology’s current plans for keeping the public informed and for receiving information and comments from the public. 

The Lower Issaquah Valley is located east of Seattle. The valley extends from the south end of Lake Sammamish approximately 2.5 miles southeast and ranges in elevation from 40 to 160 feet above mean sea level. Issaquah Creek generally runs north through the valley and discharges to Lake Sammamish. The City of Issaquah is in the northern portion of the valley. The City of Issaquah Water Service Area supply is derived from 4 production wells located throughout the valley and from a regional supply. 

The City of Issaquah became aware of PFAS in one water supply well in October 2015. The City ensured that the well was either turned off or pumping at a reduced rate. A granular activated carbon filtration (GAC) system was then installed, and the well was returned to regular service. The GAC system reduces PFAS concentrations to levels that are undetectable by state and federal compliance sampling methods. The City of Issaquah Water Service Area continues to meet safe drinking water levels. 

PFAS has also been detected in some water supply wells operated by Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District (SP Water). Wells with the highest PFAS levels were removed from service in 2017 and SP Water continues to meet safe drinking water levels. SP Water is advancing efforts to design and build a water treatment facility to remove PFAS from its impacted wells. 

A source of PFAS contamination to soil and groundwater can be residual firefighting foam. Investigation of some of the potential sources identified four training areas where firefighting foam was used/deployed. PFAS has been detected in soil and groundwater at these sites. PFAS is transported via groundwater flow. Data collected to date indicate that it’s safe for people and pets to touch the soil. 

What are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. PFAS is a family of manufactured chemicals which have been used since the 1940s and are in many industrial and consumer products because of their unique and useful chemical properties. They are used in firefighting foam and a wide range of consumer products including carpets, clothing, cookware, paper, and packaging. 

Why are we concerned about PFAS?
Due to their unique and useful chemical properties, PFAS do not degrade or break down naturally in the environment and can accumulate over time. For this reason, PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals.” Some PFAS are toxic to laboratory animals and have the potential to impact people’s health. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) are the experts on drinking water and public health. You can learn more about PFAS health concerns at doh.wa.gov/pfas.  

Are PFAS regulated?
In 2021, Washington State implemented state action levels (SALs) for five PFAS chemicals. The SALs are recommended state limits for individual PFAS chemicals in the drinking water. The SALs were set by the Washington State Board of Health with support from the DOH. The SALs require Group A public water systems to test their drinking water by the end of 2025. Group A public water systems generally include at least 15 connections or serve at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days per year. If testing indicates drinking water levels exceed the SALs, the public water systems must inform their customers. 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS on April 10, 2024.  

Where can I learn more about PFAS?
Additional links about PFAS are listed below. 

• Washington State Department of Ecology PFAS 
• Washington State Department of Health Frequently Asked PFAS Questions 
• Washington State Department of Health SALs Monitoring Requirements 
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – Health Effects of PFAS 
• National Groundwater Association, PFAS and Private Well Owners Fact Sheet 

To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6831, email ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or visit ecology.wa.gov/Accessibility. For Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341.

If you speak a non-English language, free language services are available.