Two meetings this week for Navy water sampling updates

The Navy will hold its next two public meetings this week on the results from ongoing community drinking water sampling for an emerging, national environmental issue, according to a press release.

The open house meetings are opportunities to learn more about the drinking water investigation near Ault Field and Outlying Field Coupeville. Subject matter experts from the Navy and partner agencies will share information and answer questions.

Because there will not be a formal presentation, people are welcome to arrive at any time during the meetings.

The first is tonight, Wednesday, May 31. It’s 5-7 p.m. at Hillcrest Elementary School, 1500 NW Second Ave. The second will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, June 1, at Camp Casey Conference Center on Engle Road.

As of May 19, the Navy received 211 lab results from drinking water sampling at private residence and public supply wells in the areas surrounding both NAS Whidbey Island’s Ault Field and OLF Coupeville properties. Ten results are above EPA lifetime health advisory level established for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid.

The Navy received 112 results from properties near OLF Coupeville and seven results are above the EPA lifetime health advisory.

The Navy received 99 results from properties near Ault Field and two sample results are above the life time health advisory.

The Navy commenced Phase 2 of its drinking water sampling program on Feb. 20. The Navy finished Phase 2 sampling on March 4, 2017; however, if you were not able to schedule sampling and you received a letter, please call 360-396-1030. A Navy representative will call you to set up sampling.

The Navy finished drilling 27 groundwater monitoring wells at OLF Coupeville on Feb. 15. The Navy finished sampling these wells on March 4.

The Navy received results from the new groundwater monitoring wells at the Outlying Landing Field in Coupeville. Three of the 27 wells installed contained levels of the chemicals above the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory.

According to the press release, the Navy’s investigation is progressing but is pending receipt of information regarding groundwater flow directions and local hydrogeology. Receipt of this information is critical to determining the next steps.

The Navy is providing drinking water to the owners of wells with drinking water concentrations that exceed the EPA’s lifetime health advisory as it works to validate the data and develop a long-term solution. The Navy will update property owners on their validated results.

The Navy continues to investigate drinking water sources at Navy installations worldwide where the chemicals are suspected — typically at locations with historic use of aqueous film forming foam, a highly effective, life-saving fire suppressant, which contains PFAS.