A town of Coupeville employee won a state award this week for his work to treat Central Whidbey water after a major chemical contamination came to light in 2016.

Public Works Director Joe Grogan was honored at a luncheon Monday, where he received the “Grace Under Pressure” award from the Washington State Department of Health.

Grogan joined the town as the utility supervisor in 2016, just as the Navy confirmed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, contamination in Whidbey Island drinking water.

PFAS is a contaminant found in a firefighting foam used by the Navy to extinguish jet-fuel fires that has been linked to potential health risks for humans, including developmental problems. Tests found that eight Central Whidbey wells were contaminated in excess of the EPA’s lifetime health advisory level, and PFAS was also found in smaller concentrations in Coupeville municipal water.

Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes said Grogan led the charge in tackling this issue, from researching treatment options to acting as the town’s liaison with the Navy.

“Every single thing about this problem and its solution has been carried through the process by Joe,” she said.

In mid-2019, under Grogan’s direction, the town installed a new filtration system utilizing granular activated carbon to treat the PFAS contamination and a new wastewater treatment plant. The project, paid for by the Navy, cost $7 million.

Hughes nominated Grogan for the award, writing in her nomination that Grogan had to become an expert in PFAS contaminants, state and federal regulations, testing methods and treatment options, and that he has worked with multiple governmental agencies to make drinking water safe for Coupeville residents.

“He has managed to create a calm environment for our town during this time of scary and ever-changing information,” Hughes wrote, adding that she is “able to trust his judgment 100% of the time.”

Derek Pell of the state Department of Health applauded Grogan for how deeply he dove into the technical details relating to the treatment.

“You were thoughtful, you were creative, you were communicative,” Pell said.

Grogan said that his team in the utilities and public works departments, as well as town government and state agencies, all played a role in handling the PFAS contamination.

“That’s what actually made this unfortunate situation into a success,” he said.

John Lovie, former Whidbey Island Water System Association president, was also recognized by the state health department for his work on various projects relating to Island County water quality and environmental stewardship. Lovie was one of four people in the state granted a “Lifetime Achievement” award.

For the 13th year in a row, Coupeville’s utilities department has received a wastewater treatment plant outstanding performance award from the state Department of Ecology. It was one of 109 plants to receive the award, out of around 300 plants statewide.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Joe Grogan, center, stands with Coupeville’s public works team members.