Kennewick's water utility posted another public notice on Oct. 25 warning customers that PFAS — the so-called "forever chemicals" — turned up above Washington's drinking water limits in one of the city's water sources, according to NBC Right Now. It's the third year in a row the city has had to send out this kind of notice, but this time the trigger is partly a moving target: the state lowered its PFAS action levels in January 2026 to get ahead of federal rules coming in 2029, so water that used to pass is now flagged, Apple Valley News Now reported.
Where the problem is — and where it isn't
The contamination is specific to one source: Ranney Collector #5, a groundwater collector made up of wells S04 and S05 near Columbia Park. Kennewick's main water treatment plant, which supplies most of the city, tests negative for PFAS, according to Apple Valley News Now. The city blends water from multiple sources, so households near Columbia Park are more likely to be getting a share of water that includes the Ranney Collector supply, though the city has not published an exact map of which addresses draw from which source.
September 2026 sampling found combined levels of about 10.7 and 13.4 parts per trillion for two specific compounds — PFOS and PFHxS — both above the state's new action levels of 4.0 and 10 ppt, per Apple Valley News Now. City officials have described that concentration as roughly one drop spread across 20 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to NBC Right Now — a tiny amount, but PFAS are regulated at parts-per-trillion levels because they build up in the body over time and don't break down in the environment.
What PFAS actually are
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large family of man-made chemicals used for decades in nonstick cookware, fast-food wrappers, water-resistant fabrics and some firefighting foams. They're tasteless, colorless and odorless, which is why you'd never notice them in a glass of water, and they resist breaking down, which is why they're nicknamed forever chemicals, per Apple Valley News Now. The same chemicals previously held up redevelopment at the Port of Kennewick's Vista Field site before state testing and remediation cleared the project to move forward, according to Tri-Cities Business News.
What to actually do at home
Health officials say most Kennewick residents don't need to change their daily habits because of this notice. The groups who should consider using an alternative water source — bottled water, or water from a source confirmed not to include the Ranney Collector supply — are pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and anyone mixing powdered or concentrated infant formula with tap water, according to NBC Right Now. The Washington Department of Health also notes that residents who want extra peace of mind can reduce exposure with specialized home filters, though the agency's public guidance in available reporting doesn't name specific brands or certifications, per a wire report via Yahoo News. Not every pitcher or refrigerator filter removes PFAS, so check a product's packaging or spec sheet before relying on it rather than assuming any filter does the job.
If you're unsure whether your home is affected, the most reliable options right now are a certified filter or an alternative water source for the specific groups named above. Residents with questions about their own address should contact Kennewick's water utility directly, since the city has not published a street-level map of which homes draw from the Ranney Collector.
When the fix is coming
This isn't new to Kennewick. PFAS have shown up in city testing since at least July 2022, and the city has reported exceedances for three consecutive years, with levels historically running higher in early spring, according to NWPB and a more recent NWPB story. The state requires quarterly testing of the affected source, so this story will likely keep recurring until the city's planned treatment system is online.
Kennewick is designing a roughly $33 million PFAS filtration system for its water supply. Tri-Cities Business News reported the project was expected to go out to bid this fall, with completion targeted for summer 2028 — ahead of the EPA's 2029 enforcement deadline. A more recent account from NBC Right Now put the system's operational target at no later than April 2029, suggesting the timeline has slipped or simply hasn't been finalized publicly. Either way, residents should expect the current pattern of quarterly testing and occasional notices to continue for at least another year or two.
The treatment project is separate from, but will likely affect, Kennewick water rates; see our earlier coverage of utility rate increases already working through the city budget.
One Kennewick father, Joe Thorton, told a local TV station he was "shocked and kind of alarmed" by the news, saying high PFAS exposure "can lead to a lot of different health effects and issues," according to Apple Valley News Now.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drink Kennewick tap water right now? Health officials say most residents can continue normal water use. The specific concern is for pregnant or breastfeeding women and households mixing infant formula, who should consider bottled water or a certified PFAS filter, per NBC Right Now.
How do I know if my water comes from the Ranney Collector? The city has not published a street-by-street map in available reporting. Households near Columbia Park are more likely to draw from this source; residents with specific questions should contact Kennewick's water utility directly for their address.
When will Kennewick's water be PFAS-free? The city's planned $33 million treatment system has a target completion date reported as either summer 2028 or no later than April 2029, depending on the source. Until then, expect continued quarterly testing and periodic public notices.
