Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Per Department of Defense guidance, all DoD-owned drinking water systems are required to test for PFAS substances. Test results from March 5th, 2025, reported levels of PFAS constituents, well below the DoD actionable limit, on the Westside (base property west of I-95) of Marine Corps Base Quantico and at Camp Upshur. The reports were the result of sampling conducted in February 2025. DoD policy requires regular sampling for PFAS in drinking water systems and to communicate PFAS constituent detections to the public.

PFAS, or Per- and Polyfuoraoalkyl Substances are a group of manufactured chemicals used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS are not currently regulated in drinking water by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Commonwealth of Virginia. The DoD actionable limit of PFAS in drinking water is 70 ppt.  Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are standards that are set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water quality.  PFAS sample results are measured in parts per trillion, which is abbreviated as ppt.  

According to the March 5th reported results, PFAS constituents were detected within the Camp Barrett drinking water system at 4.5 ppt, exceeding the MCL.  Additionally, Camp Barret showed results of 2.1 ppt PFOA, 2.5 PFHxS, 3.2 ppt PFBA and 2.1 ppt PFPea.  Camp Upshur showed results of 16 ppt PFBS, 2.6 ppt PFHxS and 2.3 ppt PFOS.  All of these West side test results showed levels well below DoD action limits.  Nothing was detected in Main side drinking water samples during this most recent sampling event in February 2025.  Prior sample results, obtained from the Main side drinking water system on October 17th 2024 had detections of 1.5 ppt PFOS and 1.2 ppt PFOA, well below DoD action limits.

The health and well-being of our Marines, their families and neighboring communities remains a high priority for Marine Corps Base Quantico, and we will continue to work to protect the drinking water and other natural resources found on and around the installation. We will continue regularly sampling drinking water to ensure human health, maintain compliance with regulatory standards, and take steps to address any issues should they arise.