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 August 21st, 2025, reported levels of PFAS constituents, well below the DoD actionable limit, in MCB Quantico’s drinking water. 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 August 21st reported results, PFAS constituents were detected within the Camp Barrett drinking water system at 5.2 ppt for PFOS, exceeding the MCL.  Additionally, Camp Barret showed results of 2.7 ppt PFOA, 2.4 ppt PFHxS, 3.8 ppt PFBA and 2.5 ppt PFPea.  Camp Upshur showed results of 16 ppt PFBS, 2.5 ppt PFHxS and 2.1 ppt PFOS.  Main side drinking water samples during this most recent sampling event in August 2025 returned a result of 2.2 ppt PFBA.  Prior sample results, obtained from the Main side drinking water system in February 2025 did not have any PFAS constituent detections. All test results are well below the EPA action level. 

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.