The Mat-Su Borough released a report in July outlining five options for Talkeetna’s new water source and storage facility. Of the five options, the site on Talkeetna Airport property appears to be the most viable.
The other options include sites close to the landfill and near land contaminated with petroleum. Mike Campfield, Engineer with the Borough Department of Public Works, says they are working with the State to get access to the Airport site. He says they will begin water supply and other field investigations this fall.
Two test sites will be drilled near the Airport. Those will help determine the quality of the water and the quantity available. This project also will provide for 375,000 gallons of water storage. Talkeetna currently has no water storage. The public water system serves the downtown and east Talkeetna areas, about 220 accounts.
The water will be tested for arsenic, iron, and manganese. Talkeetna’s current water sources have elevated levels of arsenic. When asked if the water would also be tested for PFAS (Pee-Fahs), also called forever chemicals, Campfield says not at this time. He went on to say they would not test for them unless there is a reason to suspect contamination of the groundwater there.
Airport sites across the nation, including several small airports in Alaska, have been contaminated with PFAS (Pee-Fahs). The chemicals are often found in firefighting foams, particularly used at airports. Cindy Christian, Drinking Water Program Manager with the Department of Environmental Conservation, says the Borough will be required to submit plans for a new water source. She says that the DEC would look at any potential sources of contamination in the protection zone of the wells at that time.
The Borough will update the public as the planning process moves forward.
