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Marine Corps AIr Station Cherry Point

Environmental Restoration Program Public Website

The Navy and Marine Corps are requesting permission to sample drinking water obtained from drinking water wells within a sampling area near Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field (MCALF) Bogue to test for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS.

 

Introduction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of thousands of different chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1950s. PFAS are man-made and have been used in many household and industrial products because of their stain- and water-repellent properties. PFAS are now present virtually everywhere in the world. Once these compounds are released, they break down very slowly.

In May 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued lifetime drinking water health advisories of 70 parts per trillion (ppt), individually or combined, for two PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Health advisories are not enforceable, and are not regulatory levels; rather, they are levels that provide Americans, including sensitive populations, with a margin of protection from a lifetime of exposure.

In June 2016, the Department of the Navy developed a proactive policy to ensure the communities near Navy installations are not exposed to drinking water with PFOA and/or PFOS because of a known or potential Navy release of PFAS-containing materials. The Navy’s first priority with the investigations of past releases is to ensure that concentrations of PFOA or PFOS in drinking water are not above 70 ppt as a result of a Navy PFAS release. The most common activity that could have resulted in the historical release of PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS to the environment at Navy and Marine Corps installations is the use of firefighting foam (specifically, aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF) for testing, training, firefighting, and other life-saving emergency responses. Because of this historical use, there is potential for PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS to be in the groundwater on base, and PFAS may be present in nearby drinking water wells that are located in the direction that the groundwater flows away from the base.

In January 2023, the Navy released a new military specification for a formulation of AFFF that does not contain PFAS. Until products that meet this new military specification are available, the Navy will continue to use formulations that contain lower concentrations of PFOA and PFOS than many historical AFFF formulations and will continue to take steps to prevent or minimize additional release of firefighting foam to the environment.

On March 14, 2023, the EPA proposed a draft regulatory drinking water standard for certain PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. In response, DoD has issued the following statement: “DoD respects and values the public comment process on this proposed nationwide drinking water rule and looks forward to the clarity that a final regulatory drinking water standard for PFAS will provide. In anticipation of the final standard that EPA expects to publish by the end of 2023, the DoD is assessing what actions DoD can take to be prepared to incorporate EPA’s final regulatory standard into our current cleanup process, such as reviewing our existing data and conducting additional sampling where necessary. In addition, DoD will incorporate nationwide PFAS cleanup guidance, issued by EPA and applicable to all owners and operators under the federal cleanup law, as to when to provide alternate water when PFAS are present.”

Off-Base Drinking Water Sampling near MCALF Bogue (Figure 1)

PFOA and PFOS have been detected in groundwater at MCALF Bogue above 70 ppt. When a known or suspected release of PFAS is identified on a Navy or Marine Corps installation and groundwater is used as drinking water, a sampling area is established 1 mile in the direction that groundwater flows away from a release area. The Navy and Marine Corps offer sampling to all property owners and tenants whose property is within the sampling area and whose drinking water is supplied by groundwater.

Figure 1: Location Map of MCALF Bogue

At this time, the Navy and Marine Corps are only asking to sample drinking water wells located in the sampling area (Figure 2). Records indicate that some properties within the sampling area (Figure 2) are provided drinking water by West Carteret Water Corporation. Property owners and tenants should contact West Carteret Water Corporation with any questions regarding treatment and testing of publicly provided drinking water.

Figure 2: Sampling Area for MCALF Bogue

Actions Based on Off-Base Drinking Water Sampling Results

The preliminary results from the off-base drinking water sampling near MCALF Bogue are expected approximately 30 days after collecting the samples. We provide notification to the property owners and tenants of their drinking water results and any follow-up actions, if needed. The Navy and Marine Corps will do their best to keep the testing results and property information confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The Navy and Marine Corps will provide bottled water for drinking and cooking to any property in the sampling area with a drinking water well that contains PFOA and/or PFOS above 70 ppt and does not have an alternate drinking water source available. The Navy and Marine Corps will continue to provide bottled water until a permanent solution is implemented.

2023 Off-Base Drinking Water Sampling Results

In June 2023, the Navy and Marine Corps team initiated the sampling of drinking water from wells within a designated area near MCALF Bogue. Table 1 summarizes the drinking water sampling results to date. We call each property owner and tenant upon receipt of their preliminary results to let them know if their water contains PFOS and/or PFOA above or below 70 ppt. Bottled water is typically provided within 24 hours of the preliminary results being received by the Navy and Marine Corps. Final laboratory results are mailed to each property owner and tenant after all data is verified and final. Out of respect for the privacy of the property owner and tenant, individual results are provided only to each property owner and tenant.

Table 1. MCALF Bogue – Off-Base Drinking Water Results as of January 17, 2024

Year

Number of Wells Sampled

Number of wells with no detections of PFOA or PFOS

Number of wells with detections of PFOA and/or PFOS below 70 ppt

Number of wells with detections of PFOA and/or PFOS above 70 ppt

2023

94

91

3

0


Table 2. MCALF Bogue – Off-Base Drinking Water Summary of Detections as of January 17, 2024
Wells PFOA (ppt) PFOS (ppt) PFOA+PFOS (ppt)
1 12.6 50.2 62.8
2 9.96 15.4 25.36
3 2.93 3.45 6.38
4 ND ND ND
5 ND ND ND
6 ND ND ND
7 ND ND ND
8 ND ND ND
9 ND ND ND
10 ND ND ND
11 ND ND ND
12 ND ND ND
13 ND ND ND
14 ND ND ND
15 ND ND ND
16 ND ND ND
17 ND ND ND
18 ND ND ND
19 ND ND ND
20 ND ND ND
21 ND ND ND
22 ND ND ND
23 ND ND ND
24 ND ND ND
25 ND ND ND
26 ND ND ND
27 ND ND ND
28 ND ND ND
29 ND ND ND
30 ND ND ND
31 ND ND ND
32 ND ND ND
33 ND ND ND
34 ND ND ND
35 ND ND ND
36 ND ND ND
37 ND ND ND
38 ND ND ND
39 ND ND ND
40 ND ND ND
41 ND ND ND
42 ND ND ND
43 ND ND ND
44 ND ND ND
45 ND ND ND
46 ND ND ND
47 ND ND ND
48 ND ND ND
49 ND ND ND
50 ND ND ND
51 ND ND ND
52 ND ND ND
53 ND ND ND
54 ND ND ND
55 ND ND ND
56 ND ND ND
57 ND ND ND
58 ND ND ND
59 ND ND ND
60 ND ND ND
61 ND ND ND
62 ND ND ND
63 ND ND ND
64 ND ND ND
65 ND ND ND
66 ND ND ND
67 ND ND ND
68 ND ND ND
69 ND ND ND
70 ND ND ND
71 ND ND ND
72 ND ND ND
73 ND ND ND
74 ND ND ND
75 ND ND ND
76 ND ND ND
77 ND ND ND
78 ND ND ND
79 ND ND ND
80 ND ND ND
81 ND ND ND
82 ND ND ND
83 ND ND ND
84 ND ND ND
85 ND ND ND
86 ND ND ND
87 ND ND ND
88 ND ND ND
89 ND ND ND
90 ND ND ND
91 ND ND ND
92 ND ND ND
93 ND ND ND
94 ND ND ND
*Where duplicate sample(s) were collected, the highest value is reported
  = No detections of PFOA or PFOS in sample
  = Detections of PFOA and/or PFOS in sample
 

Identification of PFAS Releases at MCALF Bogue

The Preliminary Assessment (PA) was completed in 2020. Fifteen known and potential PFAS release areas were identified in the PA to be further assessed in the Site Inspection (SI). They were grouped into 10 geographical areas, shown on Figure 2, and are described as follows:

  • Crash Crew Operations Area (which includes Building 8080 – General Storage Building, the Wash Rack with Oil/Water Separator, and AFFF Spray Test Area)

  • Crash Crew Training Area #2 (identified during preparation of the SI Sampling and Analysis Plan)

  • Site 29 – Crash Crew Training Area

  • Historical Bald Cypress Road Disposal Area

  • Airfield Runways Group (which includes the Airfield Runways, Expeditionary Firefighting Rescue Area, and Emergency Response Training Area #2)

  • Combat Arms Loading Area

  • Emergency Response Training Area #1

  • 1982 A-6 Intruder Aircraft Crash Location

  • Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Area (which includes the Sanitary WWTP Irrigation Area and the Sanitary WWTP Lagoons)

  • Former Buildings 8107 and 8108 – Training Area

In January through March 2022, the Navy completed sample collection and analysis of groundwater and soil at these areas in support of the SI and PFOA and PFOS were detected in shallow groundwater on-base. Based on estimated groundwater flow directions at MCALF Bogue, it appeared that groundwater was not likely flowing from these detections to private drinking water well locations off-base; however, to confirm groundwater flow direction further investigation was conducted. The additional investigation included the installation of new monitoring wells along the base perimeter to better understand groundwater flow direction and if PFAS in groundwater potentially flows off-base. In December 2022, groundwater sampling from the new wells was completed and PFOA and PFOS were detected in shallow and deep groundwater. Water level data indicated groundwater flows to the east (toward Goose Creek), west (toward Hunting Island Creek), and south (toward Taylor Bay and Bogue Sound). However, uncertainties were identified with respect to flow to the north and potential flow beneath Hunting Island Creek and the western branch of Goose Creek.

At MCALF Bogue, PFOA and PFOS were detected in shallow groundwater above 70 ppt and there is potential for groundwater to flow toward surrounding properties with drinking water wells. As a result, a sampling area has been established 1 mile in the direction that groundwater flows away from these detections. The Navy and Marine Corps will continue on-base PFAS investigations and evaluate if actions are needed on base.

MCALF Bogue Drinking Water Sampling Documents

Additional Documents

Links

 

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