MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA -- NOTICE REGARDING PFAS FINDINGS
Per Department of Defense guidance requiring testing of all DoD-owned drinking water systems worldwide, on August 7th, low levels of PFAS substances were reported in the drinking water supply on the West side (base property west of I-95) of Marine Corps Base Quantico. The DoD also requires an additional secondary method of testing for DoD owned drinking water systems. On September 18th, after that additional required testing of all base water drinking systems, low levels, well below the DoD actionable limit, of PFAS constituents have been reported on Quantico’s Main side (base property east of I-95) and at Camp Upshur. The reports were the result of sampling conducted on August 10th per the previously mentioned DoD policy requiring a secondary method of testing. This policy requires regular sampling for PFAS in drinking water systems and to communicate the results when any level of PFAS constituent is detected.
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.
According to the September 18th reported results, PFAS constituents detected in the Main side drinking water systems were 2.2 ppt PFBA, a PFAS constituent that is not proposed for regulation and well below the DOD required levels. Camp Upshur showed results of 2.0 ppt PFOA and 11.0 ppt PFBS and West side test results showed levels well below DoD action limits, with levels of 3.2 ppt PFOA, 3.0 ppt PFHxS, and 6.3 ppt PFOS.
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.