From staff reports The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army recently announced, a joint project to conduct sampling and testing of private drinking water wells located near military installations, including Fort Sill, for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – commonly referred to as harmful “forever chemicals.”
If the sampling indicates that PFAS is present in groundwater or drinking water above the new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) established by the EPA, then the Army will work with the federal agency and state regulators to assess what additional actions are necessary to mitigate exposure.
If results indicate that PFAS is found in drinking water, that might indicate that contamination has spread and potentially may be affecting the drinking wells of nearby residents, officials said.
The joint EPA-Army sampling and testing project, which is being implemented nationally, has identified a priority list of nine installations, including Fort Sill and the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, from among 235 locations. As initial work is completed, the EPA and Army will evaluate additional installations for expansion of the pilot.
“PFAS pose significant risks to drinking water supplies and public health, which is why the EPA and the Army are testing water from wells in communities near Army installations to determine if these dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ are polluting drinking water,” said David M. Uhlmann, EPA’s assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance. “Members of the military, their families, and surrounding communities deserve access to clean, safe drinking water. EPA welcomes the opportunity to share our expertise and work with the Army on this important project.”
The Army “commenced a comprehensive program in 2017 to identify potential PFAS releases at hundreds of Army and Army National Guard installations across the country,” said Rachel Jacobson, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy, and environment. “These initial investigations, completed in 2023, were instrumental in narrowing the focus to 235 locations where we will proceed with more in-depth investigations.”
For the nine installations that are part of the joint pilot program with EPA, the Army “has already begun more in-depth investigations,” Jacobson said.
PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are being found worldwide. PFAS have been found in groundwater and soil at many federal facilities, including at military sites. The Army has used PFAS in various operations, including in foam to extinguish fires.
In April 2024, EPA finalized a critical rule to designate two widely used PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund. This step improves transparency and accountability to clean up PFAS contamination in communities.
In addition to the final rule, EPA issued a separate CERCLA enforcement discretion policy that makes clear that EPA will focus enforcement on parties who significantly contributed to the release of PFAS chemicals into the environment.