Well 13 in the Camas Water System has tested for high levels of PFAS, and the city is working on a new filtration system that is expected to be completed in 2027, but the well was open this week in anticipation of peak water demand for the summer months

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

The city of Camas opened Well 13 on Wednesday due to increased demand in its water system, and Clark County Councilor Matt Little wants to make sure residents are aware of what they can do to protect themselves from PFAS.

Matt Little

Well 13 in the Camas Water System has tested for high levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances, or what are called “forever chemicals,” numerous times in recent years, levels that are above what the state has determined to be allowable. The well was shut down last September for the winter months, but it reopened this week due to increased demand on the system.

Little used his time under Councilor Reports during Council Time on Wednesday to remind residents of the well’s opening.

Little wants people to know that water filters can remove PFAS, and he is not sure if there has been an adequate notification system. He said the city did send an email to residents, but he wants to make sure that word is getting out to the public.

“Wondering if we, and the county, the public health department, can work with the city to put out a further notice,” Little said. “We have information on our website about these filters. I was just wondering if we could provide any more information to those who are going to be drinking this water.”

The county’s website does have a page detailing PFAS, including a Q&A section that advises residents on the best way to use filters, for families to reduce their risk. https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/pfas-drinking-water

The city of Camas is working on a filtration system to help mitigate PFAS from Well 13, according to a release from the city. That filtration construction project is not anticipated to be completed until the spring of 2027.

However, the city noted that Well 13 needs to be in operation now, preparing for the summer months, to ensure uninterrupted water delivery during peak demand. The city will notify customers of the presence of PFAS if PFAS are detected and the levels are over the state allowable limit.

The city of Camas also has a page on its website detailing PFAS, Well 13, and more information on its entire water system: https://engagecamas.com/pfas-and-the-camas-water-system

That page notes that hundreds of communities in Washington have detected PFAS in their drinking water.

PFAS are human-made chemicals that have been used in products since the 1940s. Lifetime exposure to PFAS can be harmful to humans.