Forever Chemicals

According to a recent report from Unalaska’s Department of Public Utilities, some of the island’s drinking water contains traces of the harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. “It's a very low level,” said Steve Tompkins, director of public utilities. “And if we would have tested at the tap — because we usually run all three wells at the same time, and they blend and then they go to the consumer — it would have been below detection.”

About a year ago, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation tested Cold Bay’s water wells for PFAS, and the results came back well above the levels recommended for human consumption. Cold Bay closed the wells for drinking when the test results came back, and the Eastern Aleutian community has relied on state-provided bottled water ever since.