MEDICAL LAKE — The council awarded Eastern Washington University $450,000 in grant money to conduct the west plains groundwater modeling study at their regular meeting on March 21.
The presentation which preceded the vote was conducted by Chad Prichard of Eastern Washington University, and Erin Toulou, and covered per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances trends in the west plains water supply.
The presentation was given before the council made a decision on an action item to distribute grant funds to Eastern Washington University to conduct the study.
The groundwater study grant was previously awarded to another entity, according to city administrator Sonny Weathers. “It was transferred a number of times, and the agency which was going to administer that study could not complete it.” Weathers said.
“So, EWU’s geosciences department reached out to us and offered to do it.” Weathers said. Councilmember Chad Prichard is a professor of the geosciences department and he is one of the individuals who presented on groundwater flow.
“Because there is a conflict of interests here, councilman Prichard recused himself from the decision which council made regarding the grant itself.” Weathers said.
“In the larger context, there is a lot of talk about these chemicals. Both the Environmental Protections Agency and Washing state came out with new regulations on PFAS and other chemicals in ground water.” Weathers said. “So, it’s in the news, and what this study would help us identify is where this chemical is in the ground water and give us an idea of how better to protect our water supply.”
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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