Iliamna Airport Contamination, Southcoast Region, Transportation & Public Facilities, State of Alaska

Iliamna Airport Firefighting Testing Area Contamination

Page updated 04/24/2024 Go back to PFAS Home Page

Above: Iliamna Water Sampling Results as of April 2024
(click image for larger view)

Community Outreach

Background

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) was alerted to concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) began initial sampling of water supply wells near airport property in June 2020. DEC sampled nine wells on or near airport property. Of those samples, three wells did not detect PFAS and six wells had concentrations below the DEC drinking water limit of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

DOT&PF has contracted with third-party independent contractor, Shannon & Wilson, Inc. to continue DEC’s preliminary investigation, which included an in-depth well search and sampling event to ensure water supply wells near the airport are sampled.

PFAS are commonly used in products for fire suppression, resistance to wear, and repelling oil, stains, grease, and water. PFAS can be found in apparel, some consumer products, and aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) used in firefighting. The use of AFFF during firefighting equipment testing and emergency responses at the Iliamna Airport is the presumed source of PFAS contamination in the affected wells. PFAS are considered emerging contaminants and the health effects are not yet well characterized.

Annual monitoring events have taken place in June in order to capture those who may live in Iliamna seasonally. Those who participated in the sampling event have received a copy of their results at the mailing or email address they provided.

Drinking water samples results are publicly available at this DEC website .

If you have questions regarding sample results please email airportwater@alaska.gov.

Drinking Water

At this time the wells surrounding the airport are still under investigation. Should sample results indicate levels above the DEC water limits an alternate drinking water source will be provided.

Contacts

For more information, please contact us.

For questions about testing & study:

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
Ashley Jaramillo, Project Manager
907-458-3118
ashley.jaramillo@shanwil.com

For regulatory questions:

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation,
Contaminated Site Program
Bill O’Connell, Environmental Program Manager
907-269-3057
bill.oconnell@alaska.gov

Division of Spill Prevention and Response website:
http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/sites.aspx

For questions about PFAS health effects:

Alaska Department of Health
Allison Natcher, Env. Public Health Program Manager
907-269-8054
allison.natcher@alaska.gov

Department of Health PFAS Website:
https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/eph/Pages/PFAS.aspx

For claim filing instructions:

Alaska Department of Administration
Division of Risk Management
Ken Simpson, Claims Administrator
PO Box 110218
Juneau, AK 99811-0218
907-465-2183
907-465-3690
ken.simpson@alaska.gov

For questions about Iliamna Airport Firefighting Foam and all other inquiries:

Melanie Bray
DOT&PF - Statewide Aviation
907-451-5385
melanie.bray@alaska.gov

PER- and POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES