Navy Releases Additional Water Test Findings

— from Mike Welding —

The following update is provided as part of the Navy’s ongoing community drinking water testing for the emerging, national environmental issue of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances).

As of Jan. 6, 2017, the Navy has now received preliminary results for samples of all the wells it has had tested in the areas surrounding both NAS Whidbey Island’s Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville properties – 132.

There are still numerous residents in the original sampling area who have not signed up to have the Navy test their drinking water. The Navy believes it is important to test as many wells in the identified sampling area in order to identify and address potential exposures in drinking water..

Initially, the Navy notified people in the sampling areas by letter to arrange sampling and will make a concerted second effort to contact these residents. The Navy strongly encourages residents in the sampling area to have their wells sampled. If you know that you do fall in the sampling area, or suspect you might, and want to have your well tested, please call 360-396-1030, and a Navy representative will call you back to make arrangements. Out of respect to residents’ privacy, test-result data will only be released by the Navy to the affected residents.

One hundred-thirty-two samples have been taken and sent for testing. Of the total preliminary results received, eight preliminary results are above EPA lifetime health advisory level established for two specific PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA.

The Navy received 77 preliminary sample results from properties near OLF Coupeville and seven results are above the EPA lifetime health advisory. One well is shared between two residences, thus 7 wells/8 residences are affected near OLF.

The Navy received 55 preliminary results from properties near Ault Field and one sample result is above the lifetime health advisory.

The Navy is providing drinking water to the owners of affected wells as we work to validate the data. The Navy will update property owners on their validated results as they become available.

Speculating on the cause of any positive results is inappropriate and premature until thoroughly investigated.

The Navy continues to work directly with residents, community leaders and federal, state and local agencies on this important national issue and will keep the community informed while respecting the privacy of individual residents.

Updates and additional information on this project is available at go.usa.gov/xkMBc.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Navy continues to investigate drinking water sources at Navy Installations worldwide where (Perfluorinated Compounds). PFCs are suspected – typically at locations with historic use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a highly effective, life-saving fire suppressant, which contains PFC ingredients.

In Navy Region Northwest, this included investigating drinking water at NASWI and the OLF at Coupeville to determine if it is impacted from past releases of PFCs, which are classified by the EPA as unregulated or “emerging” contaminants and have no regulatory standards or routine water quality testing requirements.

The testing will help the Navy determine if additional actions are needed to protect human health and the environment.

The Navy, in cooperation with other federal, state and local environmental and health agencies, held public meetings on this effort Nov. 21-22 at Oak Harbor and Coupeville. The Navy is planning follow-up meetings in mid-February 2017.