McALESTER, Okla. (Tribune News Service) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army announced a joint project to conduct sampling and testing of private drinking water wells located near the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant for the presence of contaminants.

This effort will inform Army remedial actions if results indicate that PFAS is found in drinking water, because PFAS contamination has spread and may potentially be impacting the drinking water wells of nearby residents.

“PFAS pose significant risks to drinking water supplies and public health, which is why the EPA and the Army are testing water from wells in communities near Army installations to determine if these dangerous forever chemicals are polluting drinking water,” David M. Uhlmann, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said in a press release announcing the project. “Members of the military, their families, and surrounding communities deserve access to clean, safe drinking water. EPA welcomes the opportunity to share our expertise and work with the Army on this important project, which will help advance EPA’s PFAS National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative.”

Officials behind the project said McAAP made a priority list of nine installations out of 235 locations. After work is done on the initial nine installations, additional installation will be evaluated to expand the project.

“This initial joint program is another step in EPA’s efforts to protect people from the health risks posed by exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ in communities across the country,” the EPA states.

Along with McAAP, Fort Sill near Lawton is also on the priority lists along with installations in Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

“The Army commenced a comprehensive program in 2017 to identify potential PFAS releases at hundreds of Army and Army National Guard installations across the country. These initial investigations, completed by the Army in 2023, were instrumental in narrowing the focus to 235 locations where we will proceed with more in-depth investigations,” Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment said in the press release. “For the nine installations that are part of our joint pilot program with EPA, the Army has already begun more in-depth investigations. The Army welcomes EPA’s collaboration as it continues to evaluate whether PFAS from past Army activities has impacted our neighboring communities and if so, takes steps to mitigate those impacts.”

The EPA explains if samples taken during the project indicates that PFAS is present in groundwater or drinking water above maximum levels established by agency, then the Army will work with the EPA and state regulators to assess what additional actions are necessary to mitigate exposure.

PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are being found worldwide. PFAS have been found in groundwater and soil at many federal facilities, including at military sites. The Army has used PFAS in various operations, including in foam to extinguish fires.

The EPA and the Army will share information and update both the EPA’s and DoD’s PFAS websites as information becomes available.

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