HEALTHY WATER
Camas has amazing access to water resources that are the envy of many communities, yet the quality is being jeopardized by activities on the land around our water features. Our treasured water bodies include surface features like lakes and rivers as well as the groundwater that is our source for drinking water. Given the right resources, some careful thought and deliberate effort, we can restore our water to the greatness that our own grandparents experienced.
Our major surface waters in Camas include Lacamas Lake, Round Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake as well as the Columbia and Washougal rivers. These water bodies provide habitat for a diminishing range of fish and waterfowl. They also provide opportunity for recreation including boating, fishing and swimming, but are threatened with harmful algal blooms each year. Our lakes, as well as the local creeks that drain into them, are being adversely impacted by high nutrient loading from a variety of sources, resulting in eutrophication. Eutrophication occurs throughout the United States, and is largely a result of discharges from surface runoff and sub-optimal land management practices. In the case of Lacamas Lake, the nutrient loads primarily from fertilizer, livestock waste, and failed septic systems result in toxic algal blooms that adversely impact the water quality and recreation both. This water at times is toxic enough to kill a pet that drinks lake water. Neither our pets nor our lakes don't have to die...we can change that.
Perhaps the most treasured resource of all is our groundwater that serves as the source of our drinking water. For years, the high quality of that underground source meant very little additional treatment was required to deliver it safely to your faucet. This all changed when the City's sampling of water in 2022 for PFAS (Per- and Polyflouroalkyl Substances) or "forever chemicals" exceeded the reportable state action level of 15 parts per trillion. As reported by the Columbian in early 2023, " The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry said high levels of PFAS have been linked to liver and kidney disease, a decreased vaccine response in children, fetal complications...and an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer." Identifying the source and assessing the liability for that source is important, so liable parties - not only taxpayers, are held responsible for its remediation and water treatment requirements.
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WHAT's NEW
Judge orders EPA to further regulate fluoride in drinking water Study finds it may take over 40 years to flush PFAS from Groundwater Stricter federal guidelines on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water pose challenges Gluesenkamp Perez, Curtis Introduce Legislation to Shield Southwest Washington Ratepayers from PFAS Cleanup Costs The New Rule for PFAS in Drinking Water - What it means for me in Camas EPA Sets US’s First Drinking Water Standards to Limit Toxic PFAS USEFUL LINKS, WEBINARS & VIDEOS General Public Webinar on EPA's Final PFAS NPDWR Correcting PFAS Myths: Misperceptions Risk Higher Clean-up Costs for Water Ratepayers Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Your Health What is eutrophication? Clark County Watersheds- Explore Your Watershed |
ACT LOCALLY
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Example 1. Learn more about our PFAS contaminated drinking water and get involved
There are many ways to learn about our current drinking water problem, but a great place to start is the Engage Camas website that describes some of the actions that have been taken and future work yet to come. The Camas Earth Day Society is actively engaged in talking to all state and local resources to address this issue. We have been in active dialogue with the state agencies involved in source investigation for any potential source, and remedial activities specific to the GP Mill. While we do not know the source of PFAS, it is important to learn where the PFAS in our drinking water is coming from so the waste source is properly addressed. Follow the City of Camas at Engage Camas to learn more about what is being done to find the source.
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Example 2. Learn about our lake management challenges and do your part in reducing nutrient loading from stormwater
The City of Camas has completed significant investigation and water quality sampling on the lakes and has developed a DRAFT Lake Management Plan. A summary of the plan was presented to City council in September of 2023 to address the nutrient (phosphorus) loading problem that leads to harmful algal blooms. This plan is in review with the Washington State Department of Ecology with expected implementation early this summer. A major objective is to sequester phosphorus from the water column using unique chemicals that bind the phosphorus without creating toxic conditions for plants or fish. This will reduce the available phosphorus that stimulates algal blooms. You can take local actions that make a difference by following examples from this list shown half way down the page here.
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Example 3. Consider researching a point of use water filter for your drinking water consumption
Finding a source of PFAS contamination, remediating the contamination, designing and installing treatment will all take years. In April 2024, the US EPA issued PFAS drinking water standards under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation which sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) at 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS, both of which have been found in our drinking water at more than just Well 13. Under this new regulation, EPA will require drinking water suppliers like Camas to implement treatment to reduce levels below the MCL of 4.0 ppt (or nanograms per liter, ng/L) by April of 2029. While each of us waits for the treatment studies, designs and construction to take place, we can choose to install home based point of use or whole house treatment systems. The Washington Department of Health has an excellent website as well as helpful factsheets that describe how to select the best system for your needs. You can also view this helpful video.
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I WANT IN ON THE ACTION
Are you looking for a way to join the cause of Making Every Day Earth Day? Click here
Are you looking for a way to join the cause of Making Every Day Earth Day? Click here