Rainier Trail & Memorial Field

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 2027: Complete studies of the site (remedial investigation) and consider options for cleanup (feasibility study). 
• 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 (Rainier Trail & Memorial Field and EFR HQ IVES). 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.

Current Lower Issaquah Valley PFAS sites Public Participation Plan 

This plan describes how Ecology will share information with the community and how you can share information with us. Ecology will review this plan as the cleanup progresses and amend/update it as necessary.

Lower Issaquah Valley PFAS Sites

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.

PFAS has been detected in soil and groundwater at two cleanup sites in the Lower Issaquah Valley, the EFR HQ IVES site and the Rainier Trail & Memorial Field site. In the past, these cleanup sites were used for lawful firefighting training activities conducted by the City and EF&R. A firefighting suppressant called aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was used during training (EF&R transitioned to using PFAS-free firefighting foam in 2017). PFAS is transported via groundwater flow. PFAS contamination in the Lower Issaquah Valley has affected two water service areas that supply drinking water to the City of Issaquah and part of the City of Sammamish.

The City of Issaquah Water Service Area supplies water from three drinking water wells located throughout the valley and from a regional source. In October 2015 the City became aware of PFAS in one well. Issaquah ensured that the well was either turned off or pumping at a reduced rate. A granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration 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 working to design and build a water treatment facility to remove PFAS from its impacted wells.

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 types of PFAS can build up in our bodies when we’re exposed, for an extended period of time. Studies show that higher levels of PFAS chemicals in our bodies could increase our risk for negative health impacts. To learn more about PFAS health concerns visit the Washington State Department of Health’s PFAS webpage.  

Are PFAS regulated?
The Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are taking action to address PFAS. To learn more, visit Ecology’s PFAS webpage and EPA’s PFAS webpage.  

Are PFAS regulated in drinking water?
The Washington State Board of Health requires over 2,400 public drinking water systems to test for PFAS by December 2025. If test results show PFAS levels above the State Action Levels (SALs) for any of five regulated PFAS chemicals, the water system must notify the public within 30 days. The SALs are established for individual PFAS chemicals in drinking water at levels determined to be safe for all customers, based on the best available science at the time.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has national drinking water standards to protect communities from exposure to PFAS. Federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are legal limits on how much of a contaminant is allowed in public drinking water systems. The MCLs for PFAS are stricter than almost all of Washington’s SALs for PFAS.

The Washington State Board of Health has adopted the MCLs and is proposing the SALs match the MCLs. Once the MCLs take effect, they will replace the SALs for public water systems covered under federal rules—while the SALs will still apply to some non-community water systems that are determined to be at risk. Water systems that serve the same people on a regular basis must meet the MCL by April of 2029 or face enforcement. 

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

• What Are PFAS Factsheet 
• Washington State Department of Health PFAS in Drinking Water 
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – How PFAS Impacts Your Health
• National Ground Water Association | Groundwater and PFAS 

Need help or have questions? We offer translation and interpretation services at no cost. If you need these services, email kristen.forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov or call 425-240-4353. If you call, ask for an interpreter to be connected with one.