Officials with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps hosted an Open House in Yuma recently.
The goal was to provide information to the public about their offer to sample private drinking water wells in neighborhoods around Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. It's part of a nationwide effort by both military branches to sample water wells around bases.
The reason for sampling water wells around MCAS Yuma and other military installations is to test for any PFAS. Also known as “forever chemicals”, these may be present due to past use of firefighting foam or other materials on base.
“People are always concerned about their drinking water," Cmdr. Matt Evans, the Installation, Logistics and Environmental director at MCAS Yuma, told KAWC. "We want to answer those questions as much as we can in this type of environment.”
Drinking water sources at MCAS Yuma are the Colorado River, an on-base supply well and, when needed, the City of Yuma. Treated drinking water is tested routinely for PFAS. And MCAS Yuma officials say since 2020, the water has tested safe for drinking.
In 2023, private drinking water wells in the neighborhoods northwest of MCAS Yuma were sampled for PFAS. Now, officials will be testing in areas from La Mesa Linda southwest to Padre Ranchitos and east of Avenue 3 E.
Jason Smart said he works next to MCAS Yuma and attended the open house to see if the water well he uses needed to be tested.
"It looks like I'm outside the area that they're going to be testing but it looks like they will expand the more data they get," Smart said. "I'm going to keep an eye on it."
Those who own water wells in the study area can have their water tested until Wednesday. Additional times are available upon request. You're asked to contact MCAS Yuma officials.
