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 October 2nd, reported low levels of PFAS constituents, well below the DoD actionable limit, on the West side (base property west of I-95) of Marine Corps Base Quantico and at Camp Upshur. The reports were the result of sampling conducted on September 19th. 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. PFAS sample results are measured in parts per trillion, which is abbreviated as ppt. 

According to the October 2nd reported results, PFAS constituents were not detected within the Main side drinking water systems (base property east of I-95). Camp Upshur showed results of 14 ppt PFBS, 2.1 ppt PFOA, 3.8 ppt PFBA, 2.4 PFHxS, and 2.3 ppt PFOS. West side test results showed levels well below DoD action limits, with levels of 3.1 ppt PFOA, 2.9 ppt PFHxS, 2.8 PFBA, 2.7 PFPeA, 2.6 PFHxA, 2.0 PFBS, and 6.2 ppt PFOS.

The EPA’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) requires additional sampling for PFAS constituents.  UCMR 5 sample results obtained from the Main side drinking water system on October 17^th showed results 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.

For more information regarding research surrounding PFAS please go to: https://www.quantico.marines.mil/Info/Water-Quality/PFAS/  and use the resources listed at the bottom of the page.