U.S. Navy and Marine Corps hosts open house for free water testing
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps offered free water testing for water wells near MCAS Yuma.
During the open house Tuesday, the Navy and Marine Corps explained plans to test some private wells for “PFAS,” sometimes called “forever chemicals,” that may be in nearby wells because of past use of firefighting foam on the base.
PFAS are a group of chemicals that are used in all types of everyday household and industrial products.
Cmdr. Matt Evans says the test will show them how much levels of PFAS there are in the water.
“If somebody has private drinking water wells, especially when we may not know about on public records, then we will go in and test her well and determine the level of PFAS. Hopefully, there’s none,” Cmdr. Evans said. “Hopefully it’s below what we what would be considered safe to drink, but if it’s above the actionable levels, then we will go in and help provide endurance solutions to mitigate that health risk to the resident.”
Some possible health effects are an increased risk of kidney cancer, reduced immune response and reduced chance of getting pregnant.
The most common release of PFAS is due to firefighting foam the station uses. One resident, Diana Cortes, said she learned a lot about the testing and the history of the chemical.
“They gave me really good information about a few things that I needed to know and if it’s going to go around my area. I think it’s a really good thing that they’re doing this right now for the whole community for us to let us know if something’s going to happen,” Cortes explained.
Testing is planned for September 30 through October 7, and will be free for property owners. For more information about the test and PFAS, click here.
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