JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. —
As part of an ongoing well water sampling program, Joint Base officials recently resampled two backup wells at the Lakehurst area of JB MDL for potential contamination. Validated results of these two backup wells indicate exceedances of a health advisory set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, the Air Force conducted sampling at 13 wells on Fort Dix ranges, and two main municipal supply wells in the Borough of Lakehurst. There was no detection of PFOS or PFOA in any of these wells.
The backup well resampling was conducted on wells 5 and 9 out of an abundance of caution because the wells were temporarily activated from Dec. 2-20, 2016, while service was conducted on the primary well. These are two of four back-up wells that are part of the main water system on JB MDL (Lakehurst) and serviced approximately 3,000 people who live and work at JB MDL (Lakehurst).
Results show backup wells 5 and 9 had combined levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfanate (PFOS) of 215 parts per trillion (ppt), which exceed the EPA’s lifetime health advisory level of 70 ppt.
Previous sampling results, which JB MDL officials released in October 2016, indicated the four backup wells at JB MDL (Lakehurst) had detection levels below the EPA’s health advisory level. All primary drinking wells at JB MDL (McGuire and Lakehurst) did not contain any detectable PFOS or PFOA. The main public water system at JB MDL (Dix) was previously sampled in 2013 and also had no PFOS or PFOA detections.
There were no off-base impacts to neighboring townships from the temporary use of wells 5 and 9.
The PFOS/PFOA exceedances in wells 5 and 9 are documented in the recently published Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), and affected users are being provided a copy of the CCR via direct distribution to either their residence or facility managers. Wells 5 and 9 have been taken offline and will not be in use until undergoing treatment system upgrades and further sampling.
Although PFOS and PFOA are unregulated compounds and still in use in a variety of products, the Air Force is using a comprehensive approach - identify, respond, prevent - to assess the potential for PFOS/PFOA contamination of drinking water and respond appropriately. PFOS and PFOA are a component of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a type of fire-fighting foam that has been used by industry and the Air Force since 1970 to extinguish petroleum fires. The Air Force is in the process of swapping out legacy AFFF for a more environmentally responsible replacement and has modified training procedures to further reduce risk.
The Air Force will host a PFOS/PFOA Open House from 5:30-8 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Christa McAuliffe Middle School cafeteria in Jackson Township to inform the community on the off-base drinking water sampling program. Residents are invited to attend at any time during the open house to hear representatives from JB MDL, the Air Force, US Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA to provide information and answer questions.
To better inform the public, the Joint Base has established a PFOS/PFOA information webpage at www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/PFCs. For more information, contact the JB MDL Public Affairs Office at (609) 754-2104.