Gov. Ducey demands prompt action on groundwater contamination
Holds Department of Defense accountable to address situation
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Doug Ducey addressed a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday requesting that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) identify and treat water in Arizona contaminated in the areas surrounding four DOD installations.
The governor also requests that the DOD prevent additional human exposure to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from other DOD facilities in Arizona. Per the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals with fire-retardant properties that includes Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), GenX and many other chemicals.
"Ensuring that all Arizonans have the cleanest possible drinking water from public water systems today and for our future is critical for our health and well-being and a top priority of our state," expressed Gov. Ducey.
To prevent additional human exposure to PFAS, Governor Ducey requested the following of DOD:
- Share PFAS data related to Arizona installations to help determine the extent of PFAS impacts.
- Develop a preliminary conceptual site model for each DOD facility based on available groundwater, geological and facility data.
- Estimate a preliminary time range for when DOD-related PFAS plumes may reach public drinking water systems.
- Conduct accelerated remedial investigations with the primary purpose of designing early response actions to stop the PFAS plumes.
- Design and install early response actions to protect public drinking water systems at risk from DOD-related PFAS.
Currently, the drinking water supply for 4,000 people within the Valley Utilities Water Company service area near Luke Air Force Base in Glendale has been impacted by PFAS. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has identified 10 additional public water systems serving groundwater to 45,000 people within a 4-mile radius of Luke Air Force Base that are at risk.
In Tucson, the City has had to shut-off 18 production wells impacted by PFAS. PFOA and PFOS are very persistent in the environment and human body – meaning they don’t break down and can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.
"The situation in Arizona deserves attention," continued Gov. Ducey. "Arizona, through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, is acting to contain the spread of PFAS now, and I ask you to make a similar commitment on behalf of DOD for prompt remedial actions to address the DOD-related PFAS contamination of groundwater throughout Arizona and protect the health and safety of Arizonans."
Areas surrounding former Williams Air Force Base (WAFB) and other installations across the state are either still being assessed or need to be assessed for PFAS impacts. At the moment, 12 percent of Mesa’s water supply is sourced from groundwater in the area relating to the former WAFB.
