The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has ordered the city to remedy the contamination for these residences.
Fox estimates the cost at $2.4 million to extend a water main to the 17 homes outside city limits and connect them to the city’s water service.
The City Council has not made a determination on whether the city would pay the water bills for people affected by the contamination.
Fox said two people have ask him whether the city would pay for their water.
“The city has a cash flow problem, so there may be a limitation there.” Fox said the project requires about 8,000 feet of insulated water main pipe.
For about a year, the city has been paying about $1,000 every month for water delivery to these homes, Fox said.
City Attorney Paul Ewers said the state Department of Environmental Conservation is holding Fairbanks responsible for the contamination because the city owns the property.
However, the Fairbanks Fire Department isn’t the only firefighting agency that used the training center, and others may be held responsible.
He said it will be less expensive to finish the project in one summer.
Communities across the nation have used the popular firefighting foam and have dealt with contamination.