In eastern Washington, the Kalispel Tribe Of Indians is reportedly using bottled water at its Northern Quest Resort And Casino after the local groundwater supply was found to have been contaminated by a pair of perfluorinated chemicals.
Located less than seven miles from the giant Fairchild Air Force Base in the Spokane suburb of Airway Heights, the Northern Quest Resort And Casino offers over 1,600 slots alongside 37 gaming tables and is set to be joined later in the year by the $400 million Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Spokane being built nearby by the Spokane Tribe Of Indians.
According to a report from The Spokesman-Review newspaper, acidic chemicals known by the acronyms PFOS and PFOA were discovered in the local groundwater supply on Tuesday and forced staff at the Northern Quest Resort And Casino to throw away any food that may have been washed utilizing tap water. Julie Holland, Public Relations Director for the Kalispel Tribe Of Indians, explained that the venue temporarily took a number of items off of the menu and had now instituted a policy of using only bottled water to wash and prepare food.
“We’re doing the best we can with a smile on our face,” Holland told the newspaper. “Bottled water is available to all guests and team members while the ban is in place. All restaurant venues are open their regular hours for food service but will have limited menu options available. We have discarded any foods that may have been washed with tap water and will ensure that all foods available have only been washed with bottled water.”
The Spokesman-Review reported that the two chemicals, which are found in fire-extinguishing foam and have been classified as emerging contaminants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, are likely to have seeped into the local groundwater supply after being used in exercises and two crashes at the nearby Fairchild Air Force Base between 1970 and last year.