The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is welcoming U.S. EPA’s approval this week of a U.S. Air Force (USAF) plan designed to protect Arizonans who live near USAF facilities at the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund Site. EPA found that the USAF plan is in compliance with the agency’s Safe Drinking Water Act Order, issued in May to the USAF and the Arizona Air National Guard, directing these entities to develop a drinking water treatment system that removes PFAS contamination from the groundwater.
In EPA’s press release, ADEQ Deputy Director Karen Peters expresses appreciation for Arizona’s partnership with EPA in addressing the challenge of PFAS contamination in Tucson’s drinking water aquifer, and applauds the USAF for “coming to the table and reaching this agreement for the benefit of the Tucson community.”
On October 21, the USAF sent a letter to EPA outlining a plan to take action related to drinking water safety at the site and committing to collect PFAS data to determine the extent of contamination, to conduct pilot studies for possible PFAS cleanup, and to undertake actions where appropriate. The USAF will work with Tucson Water to cover past and future costs for PFAS treatment at the Tucson Airport Remedial Project.
ECOS Executive Director Ben Grumbles told Bloomberg News this week that this is a significant step forward and a positive sign of what can and should happen where U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) facilities are contaminating water supplies. He added that EPA oversight is critical in supporting states and communities when DOD facilities are involved.
