notice About PFAS findings

On August 7^th as part of the Department of Defense’s policy to regularly test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, results from the Camp Barrett drinking water distribution system serving the West Side of Marine Corps Base Quantico identified low levels of three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water:  5.2 parts per trillion (ppt) perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS); 3.0 ppt perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS); and 9.3 ppt perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA).  Areas served by the Camp Barrett drinking water distribution system include The Basic School, Marine Corps Information Operations Center, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, FBI training academy, and Weapons Training Battalion.  Results for the drinking water systems on Main Side Marine Corps Base Quantico (base property east of I-95) and at Camp Upshur did not identify PFAS chemicals. PFAS are not currently regulated in drinking water by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Commonwealth of Virginia, however, certain PFAS, including PFOS have been proposed for regulation by EPA.  We are closely following the EPA’s proposed PFAS regulations and are assessing what actions we should be prepared to take when those regulations are finalized.  

PFAS are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in a variety of industrial and consumer products around the globe, including as oil and water repellents for carpets, clothing, paper packaging for food, and cookware. They are also contained in some foams (aqueous film-forming foam or AFFF) used for fighting petroleum fires. Due to their widespread use and resistance to breaking down in the environment, these chemicals are found in soil and water throughout the U.S.

The health and well-being of our Marine families and surrounding communities are our top priorities. We recognize the importance of protecting drinking water and the land and water resources on and off our installations.  Marine Corps Base Quantico regularly tests drinking water to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and takes steps to address any identified issues. For more information regarding MCB Quantico water quality, see:  https://www.quantico.marines.mil/Water-Quality/.