This test is not intended for people receiving drinking water from the City of Yuma or the Yuma base.
Yuma, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are urging off-base Yuma landlords to drink water from wells because it may contain harmful chemicals. They are asking for permission to sample the drinking water they collect.
Sampling of drinking water wells was conducted to identify certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may be present due to past use of firefighting foam or other PFAS-containing substances at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. ) is targeted.
PFAS are a group of chemicals used in all kinds of everyday household and industrial products.
MCAS Yuma Regional Liaison Officer Mary Ellen Finch said the foam is being used in training and to extinguish aircraft fires.
“We have used it a few times on the base and that investigation uncovered PFAS, so we are keeping the community informed and making sure they have all the pertinent information they need.” “We are doing due diligence to move forward,” Finch says.
According to MCAS Yuma, this sampling is currently only required on the west side of the facility, roughly the area from MCAS Yuma to Avenue A.
The Yuma station held an open house Wednesday night to educate Yuma residents about the importance of sampling and inform the public about chemicals that may be present in the water.
The Yuma base said it has several locations with slightly higher PFAS concentrations on the base and is investigating whether the chemicals have migrated as groundwater flows past the base.
Donnie Dressler, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Yuma Station Southwest Rehabilitation Project Manager, said the information-gathering stage is currently underway.
“But as part of that research, we’re looking at the slopes a mile down. Now that we’ve identified the direction of groundwater flow and some potential areas where they could be drinking water wells. “We want to sample them to see if PFAS are present in them,” Dressler explained.
After receiving the sample, it will be sent to the laboratory for testing.
Drinking water concentrations should not exceed 70 parttrilon (ppt).
Potential health effects include an increased risk of kidney cancer, decreased immune response, and reduced fertility.
Samples are provided free of charge to property owners or tenants.
Finch said MCAS Yuma works closely with local communities to keep the environment safe.
“We have compatible uses and work with them every day to make sure we are protected, they are protected and we are just good neighbors,” Finch said. increase.
The Navy and Marine Corps will provide bottled water for drinking and cooking to property owners or tenants in sampling areas whose wells contain potable water with PFOA and/or PFOS greater than 70 ppt.
For more information on off-base drinking water sampling, please visit: website.
If you have any questions, please contact MCASYuma_Media@usmc.mil or call 928-269-5278.
