Construction is likely to begin soon on a new water line connecting several Central Whidbey residences impacted by PFAS contamination to Coupeville town water.

Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes said that the forthcoming construction is the culmination of a two-year public process to obtain easements to build the water main on a private road.

The road in question, Big Cedar Lane, is within an area found to be contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a chemical found in a firefighting agent used by the Navy to extinguish jet fuel fires. Three wells on Big Cedar Lane servicing four homes were found to have amounts of PFAS that exceeded advisory levels, Hughes said; the Navy has been providing bottled water to these houses.

Other contaminated areas were connected to town water promptly because they were located on public roads; because Big Cedar Lane is a private road, however, the town needed to obtain easements before building could begin, Hughes said.

The town filed a petition for condemnation earlier this month to obtain the easements; Hughes said this was a last resort, as some property owners were hesitant about signing the easement. After the ordinance was filed, Hughes said, all the involved property owners agreed to sign.

Hughes said the Navy will handle the construction. The Navy will also put in a fire service line and fire hydrants on the street.