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Town Water Supply Tests Clear

Chesapeake Beach, MD
Posted on: May 21, 2021 - 11:58am
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May 21, 2021 (Chesapeake Beach, MD)- In response to recent environmental restoration public outreach regarding the Naval Research Laboratory - Chesapeake Bay Detachment, the Town of Chesapeake Beach has taken additional precautionary measures to test the Town’s drinking water, and report that the Town’s drinking water has no traces of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Tests were conducted on all Town drinking wells, which draw from the Aquia Aquifer.  

What is PFAS? According the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s and are (or have been) found in many consumer products like cookware, food packaging, and stain repellants. PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, airports, and military installations that use firefighting foams are some of the main sources of PFAS. PFAS may be released into the air, soil, and water, including sources of drinking water. PFOA and PFOS are the most studied PFAS chemicals and have been voluntarily phased out by industry, though they are still persistent in the environment.”1 

Why is the Town testing for PFAS?  Given the Naval Research Laboratory - Chesapeake Bay Detachment proximity to Town, being just south of the Town limits, the Town has been engaged with the Navy related to their ongoing PFAS containment measures.  The Navy has provided the Town, and general public, with data supporting their determination of why the Town’s water supply was not considered to be at risk of PFAS exposure. The Town Administration agreed with the Navy’s assessment; however, the Town felt it was important to conduct testing to assure Town citizens of the safety of municipal drinking water. The testing conducted by the Town, and at the Town’s expense, is above and beyond what is required of any Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) mandatory testing.  

The Navy conducted sampling of private wells that were considered to be at risk of PFAS exposure, all locations were outside of Town limits. The Navy made contact with local affected property owners and held a public meeting and poster session in July 2018, before sampling, and again in October 2018 after sampling to provide a summary of the results to the public. The Navy sent individual property owners their individual private well sampling results. Of the 42 drinking water samples collected from private wells, PFAS were not detected in 39 samples. PFAS were detected in 3 samples. PFOA was detected in 2 of these samples. No test results were above the EPA lifetime health advisory. Further information related to the Navy’s testing can be located  here.  

Who provides regulatory oversight of the Naval Research Laboratory? Regulatory oversight of the Naval Research Laboratory – Chesapeake Bay Detachment is provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).  

What Community Outreach is taking place? The Naval Facilities Engineering  Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington, in cooperation with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), has established a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) to discuss environmental restoration issues at Naval Research Laboratory – Chesapeake Bay Detachment (NRL-CBD). The RAB contains representatives from the Navy, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), local government officials, and community members. The NRL-CBD RAB was formed in December 2019. The RAB is co-chaired by an elected community member and a Navy representative. RAB members are considered a key source in efforts to communicate openly and effectively with the community at large. They are provided with information about the ER Program and their input on remediation decisions is actively sought. 

The purpose of a RAB is to encourage regular, two-way communication between the Navy and the local community by:

  • Informing the public regarding the progress of planned and ongoing restoration actions at the facility
  • Communicating the results of investigations and risk assessments when available
  • Receiving feedback from the public as to their specific concerns and information needs
  • Providing the public with the opportunity to comment on and participate in addressing technical decisions associated with ER sites at the facility

Further information related to future outreach efforts can be viewed on the Naval Research Laboratory - Chesapeake Bay Detachment public outreach website here.  

The Town will continue to coordinate with representatives from the Navy, and the Maryland Department of Environment, and disseminate information to Town citizens.  

For more information related to the Naval Research Laboratory - Chesapeake Bay Detachment, please contact Regina Adams, NAVFAC Washington Public Affairs Officer, at 202-685-0384 or NAVFAC_NFW_PUBLICAFFAIRSOFFICE@navy.mil.

For a printable version of this notice and to view the detailed Town water reports, please click here. 

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1- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “PFOA, PFOS and Other PFAS”