Fort Ord, a former U.S. Army base located in Monterey County, California, was used for military training operations for decades before it was closed in the early 2000s.
Fort Ord’s legacy includes severe contamination of its groundwater, primarily due to the use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which contains toxic PFAS chemicals.
These chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” do not degrade naturally, leading to persistent contamination of the surrounding environment, including the drinking water.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Fort Ord contamination in groundwater was at the following levels in 2017:
- PFOA: 270 ppt
- PFOS: 72 ppt
- PFOS+PFOA: 334 ppt
These levels significantly exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) legal safety limits for drinking water, putting both military service members and local residents at risk for a variety of severe health issues linked to prolonged PFAS exposure.
Sources of PFAS at Fort Ord
The primary source of PFAS contamination at Fort Ord was the extensive use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) in firefighting exercises and training operations.
AFFF, which contains high levels of PFOS and PFOA, was regularly used to simulate real-life firefighting situations at the base.
These chemicals seeped into the groundwater and surrounding environment, contaminating both the soil and the water supply.
In addition to firefighting foam, industrial activities at Fort Ord, including maintenance, cleaning, and other operational processes, contributed to the widespread presence of PFAS chemicals at the base.
Even though the base closed in 2000 and was transferred to the community, the lingering effects of PFAS contamination continue to pose a significant risk to the health of nearby communities and military personnel who served there.
Impacted Populations at Fort Ord
The populations most at risk from PFAS contamination at Fort Ord include military service members, civilian workers, and residents of the surrounding areas.
Those who served at the base, especially during the years when firefighting foam was in active use, are at a particularly high risk of health problems due to prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals.
Civilians who worked on the base, including contractors and maintenance workers, also face significant risks of exposure through direct contact with contaminated water or soil.
The surrounding communities that relied on the base’s water supply are at risk, especially if they consumed drinking water contaminated with PFAS.
The impact on vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions may be particularly severe due to their increased susceptibility to the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals.
Addressing PFAS Contamination at Fort Ord
Efforts to address PFAS contamination at Fort Ord are ongoing, with both state and federal agencies involved in monitoring and remediation activities.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) have been working together to identify and clean up PFAS contamination at the site.
Water treatment systems have been installed to remove PFAS from the local drinking water, but these efforts are not a complete solution, as PFAS chemicals are persistent and can be difficult to eliminate from the environment.
The cleanup process is costly and complicated, and it will take years before the site is fully remediated.
Military sites like Fort Ord are often subject to complex legal frameworks, which further complicates the speed and effectiveness of remediation efforts.
