Page updated 07/18/2022 Go back to PFAS Home Page
Above: FAI WELL SEARCH MAP August 2020
(click image for larger view)
Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) was alerted in late October 2017 to concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the groundwater at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training Areas. The PFAS discovered in the groundwater at the ARFF Training Areas were in concentrations higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) health advisory levels. FAI is working with an environmental consulting firm, Shannon & Wilson, Inc., and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to identify and sample private water wells west of the airport beginning Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. On Aug. 21, 2018, DEC established guidance for the State of Alaska that groups five similar compounds into a combined PFAS action level to be compared to the EPA lifetime health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt). The EPA lifetime health advisory level included just two compounds, PFOS and PFOA. As of July 22, 2020 FAI has sampled 194 wells with 106 wells above the DEC Action Level.
FAI’s priority has been to identify and provide safe drinking water to impacted properties. FAI is providing alternative drinking water to homes with PFAS levels over 65 ppt that haven’t been connected to a municipal water source. As of July 2020 , FAI has connected 90 properties to College Utilities, 61 in 2018 and 29 in 2019. An additional nine properties will be connected by the end of the 2020 field season. In addition to service connections, as of summer 2020 FAI has completed the closure of the Fire Training Pit.
In order to track PFAS movement in groundwater, DEC requires continued monitoring of wells. FAI has installed a series of groundwater monitoring wells throughout the impacted area to compile data and track characteristics of the plume. The frequency of this monitoring will be conducted annually and quarterly and in accordance with DEC guidance.
All known impacted residents and businesses to date have been provided alternate water.
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Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
Ashley Jaramillo, Project Manager
907-479-0600
ashley.jaramillo@shanwil.com
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservations,
Contaminated Site Program
Robert Burgess, Environmental Program Specialist III
907-451-2153
robert.burgess@alaska.gov
Division of Spill Prevention and Response website:
dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/sites/fairbanks-international-airport-pfas
Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
Stacey Cooper, Health Assessor
907-269-8016
stacey.cooper@alaska.gov
Division of Public Health Website:
dhss.alaska.gov/dph/epi/eph/pages/PFAS.aspx
Sammy Cummings, PFAS Program Manager
907-888-5671
airportwater@alaska.gov
Angie Spear, Airport Manager
907-474-2529
airportwater@alaska.gov
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
Jeremy Langton, FAI Engineering Assistant III
907-474-2509
jeremy.langton@alaska.gov