MCAS Yuma is requesting permission to test drinking water from wells for harmful chemicals

This testing is not for anyone who receives their drinking water from the city of Yuma or MCAS Yuma

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are requesting permission from Yuma landowners off base to sample drinking water obtained from wells, as there's a chance there could be harmful chemicals in that water.

The sampling of the drinking water wells is for certain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which may be present due to past use of firefighting foam or other PFAS-containing materials aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma.

PFAS are a group of chemicals that are used in all types of everyday household and industrial products.

Mary Ellen Finch, MCAS Yuma Community Liaison Officer says firefighting foam is used for training and to put out air craft fires.

"We had a couple of uses of that on the base and in the investigation of that, PFAS was discovered. So we're just doing our due diligence to make sure the community is informed and we've got all the proper information we need to move forward," says Finch.

According to MCAS Yuma, this sampling is currently only needed off the west side of the installation, in an area approximately from MCAS Yuma to Avenue A.

MCAS Yuma held an open house Wednesday evening for Yuma residents to understand the importance of sampling and inform the public of the possible chemicals that could be in the water.

MCAS Yuma said it has some sites on the base with slightly higher levels of PFAS and because groundwater flows beyond the base, they are investigating if the chemicals have traveled.

Donnie Dressler, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest Remedial Project Manager for MCAS Yuma said they are in an information-gathering stage right now.

"But as part of that investigation, we are looking at a mile-down gradient. The direction groundwater flows and we've identified some potential areas where they may be drinking water wells and we would like to sample those to see if there's PFAS in those drinking water wells," explained Dressler.

After they receive the sample, it would be sent to the lab for testing.

The drinking water should not be at concentrations above 70 parts per trillon (ppt).

Some possible health effects are an increased risk of kidney cancer, reduced immune response and reduced chance of getting pregnant.

Sampling will be provided at no cost to the property owner or tenant.

Finch says MCAS Yuma works closely with the community on keeping the environment safe.

"Everyday we're working with them to make sure that we have compatible uses and we're protected, they're protected and we're just good neighbors," says Finch.

The Navy and Marine Corps will provide bottled water for drinking and cooking to any property owner or tenant in the sampling area whose well contains drinking water with PFOA and/or PFOS above 70 ppt.

For more information about the off-base drinking water sampling, you can visit their website.

If you have questions, you can reach out to MCASYuma_Media@usmc.mil or call 928-269-5278.