A Seattle Times analysis has revealed that hundreds of drinking water wells near military bases and facilities in Washington have been contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These “forever chemicals” were found in 866 private drinking water wells, with concentrations above the proposed EPA levels in 551 of them. The military is now evaluating the environmental and health risks while preparing to implement the EPA’s final drinking water standard, and the contamination issue extends to other states as well, impacting around 2,805 drinking water wells near 63 military bases in 29 states.
