Navy to Hold Public Meetings on Drinking Water Sampling
“NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – Navy officials from NAS Whidbey Island and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest will hold three open house public meetings Nov. 21 and 22 in Oak Harbor and Coupeville to discuss the current Navy project to test drinking water in wells in the vicinity of Ault Field and OLF Coupeville.
The first meeting will be held in Oak Harbor on Monday, November 21 at the Oak Harbor Elementary School located at 151 Southeast Midway Blvd. from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be two meetings at the Camp Casey Conference Center at 1276 Engle Road in Coupeville on November 22. The first meeting will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second from 5 to 9 p.m. Public is encouraged to attend any time during the open house period.
Early this year, the EPA issues a health advisory for two perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The Navy issued policy to take a proactive nationwide approach to ensure no one is exposed to drinking water at levels greater than the EPA health advisory levels. NAS Whidbey Island has identified known or suspected locations where fire-fighting foam containing PFAS were released from firefighting training and emergency response activities. Residents in the vicinity of NASWI Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field, and other interested parties, are invited to attend these open house public meetings to learn about the Navy’s plans to test drinking water from wells near these two sites.
If the Navy discovers drinking water in wells within the designated sampling areas exceeding the EPA lifetime health advisory levels for PFOS and PFOA, the Navy will provide residents alternate water for drinking and cooking until a permanent solution can be implemented.
Navy officials in the Northwest will continue to work closely with local communities, water authorities, regional and local health agencies, Federal and State Environmental Protection Agencies, and Congressional and State officials and share additional information as it becomes available throughout the testing process.”
From NAS Whidbey Public Affairs Office