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Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit [2025 Update]

Williams Air Force Base PFAS Contamination: Overview

The Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit investigation concerns forever chemicals in drinking water and groundwater in and around the former Arizona military installation.

TorHoerman Law is currently investigating a potential Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit.

On this page, we’ll discuss the Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit investigation, the levels of PFAS chemicals in groundwater at the former Williams AFB, the dangers of PFAS chemicals in drinking water and groundwater, health risks linked to PFAS exposure, and much more.

Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit

PFAS Chemicals Detected at High Levels in Williams Air Force Base Groundwater

Williams Air Force Base, located in Mesa, Arizona, approximately 30 miles southeast of Phoenix, was a pivotal United States Air Force training facility from its inception in 1941 until its closure in 1993.

Originally established as Mesa Military Airport, it was renamed Williams Field in 1942 to honor 1st Lt. Charles Linton Williams, an Arizona native who died in a 1927 aircraft accident.

In 1948, it became Williams Air Force Base.

Over its 52 years of operation, WAFB trained more than 26,500 pilots, supplying 25% of all USAF pilots, and was the first base to offer jet pilot training.

Following its closure, the base was transformed into Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport, serving as a commercial airport and aerospace center.

However, WAFB was designated a Superfund site in 1989 due to soil and groundwater contamination from historical military activities, including the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in firefighting foams.

The Air Force has implemented various remediation efforts, such as Steam Enhanced Extraction, to address environmental and public health concerns related to the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).

While the site has been repurposed for civilian use, environmental monitoring and cleanup efforts are ongoing.

Legal investigations are also ongoing, with lawyers investigating potential exposure to PFAS and subsequent health issues.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PFAS contamination at Williams Air Force Base and subsequently developed cancer or other serious health problems, you may be eligible to file a PFAS exposure claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a PFAS exposure claim instantly.

Table of Contents

Dangerous Levels of PFAS Contamination Detected at Williams Air Force Base

Williams Air Force Base, once a leading pilot training facility in Arizona, has been identified as a site of significant PFAS contamination, raising concerns for the health of military personnel, civilian workers, and surrounding communities.

According to data published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS chemicals were detected at the following levels in Williams Air Force Base groundwater in 2018:

  • PFOA: 489 ppt
  • PFOS: 2,440 ppt
  • PFOA + PFOS (combined): 2,929 ppt

These levels significantly exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for both PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.

The base’s history of fighter gunnery training, aircraft operations, and technical training programs likely contributed to widespread contamination of drinking water sources and soil.

As a former hub for military training missions, including radar observer training, night fighter training, and twin engine flying skills, the site used large quantities of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) containing PFAS chemicals that have now leached into the groundwater and nearby water supplies.

Sources of PFAS Exposure at Williams Air Force Base

The primary source of PFAS exposure at Williams Air Force Base is the long-term use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) — a fire suppressant used in jet fuel fires, aircraft crash drills, and fuel spill cleanups.

These PFAS-containing products were routinely deployed during training exercises, aircraft maintenance, and base emergency operations.

PFAS contamination was also likely exacerbated by improper waste disposal and runoff from storage areas and airfields used during flexible gunnery training and air corps conducted drills.

In addition to AFFF, exposure could have occurred through contact with contaminated drinking water, ingestion of PFAS-contaminated groundwater, or use of toxic substances in flight training, engine repair, and aircraft decontamination procedures.

The military base’s infrastructure, including water systems and firefighting facilities, may still harbor hazardous chemicals, creating an ongoing risk to public health and the environment.

These sources of exposure demand greater attention to PFAS testing, remediation efforts, and long-term health monitoring for impacted individuals.

Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at Williams Air Force Base

Individuals potentially exposed to PFAS at Williams Air Force Base include a wide range of people who lived, trained, or worked at the facility between its years of operation and its closure.

This includes military service members, flight instructors, civilian contractors, and support staff involved in pilot training programs, fighter gunnery schools, and other military training missions.

Families living on base or in nearby residential areas may have consumed contaminated drinking water, inhaled airborne particles, or come into contact with PFAS-contaminated soil during everyday activities.

Given the documented confirmed PFAS contamination, both on base and in surrounding groundwater, the risk of developing serious health problems such as thyroid disease, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and other immune system disorders is elevated.

The EPA, Department of Defense, and environmental health experts are continuing to study the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, but many believe that individuals exposed at Williams AFB could face long-term health consequences.

These exposed populations may be eligible to participate in PFAS water contamination lawsuits and should consider undergoing a PFAS blood test and speaking with a law firm experienced in military toxic exposure cases.

Do You Qualify for the Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit?

Individuals who lived, worked, or served at Williams Air Force Base—or who were otherwise exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water at or near the site—may qualify to take legal action through a PFAS water contamination lawsuit.

This includes military service members, civilian employees, contractors, and family members who used or consumed water from affected water systems.

If you’ve experienced serious health problems potentially linked to PFAS exposure, such as thyroid disease, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, or immune system disorders, you may be eligible to file a claim.

The base’s past use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) containing toxic PFAS chemicals is a key contributor to widespread groundwater contamination, impacting both on-base drinking water and nearby water supplies.

Consulting a law firm familiar with PFAS litigation and military toxic exposure can help you determine your eligibility.

Gathering Evidence for a PFAS Lawsuit

To build a strong case in a Williams Air Force Base PFAS lawsuit, it’s important to gather detailed evidence showing both exposure and resulting health effects.

Relevant evidence may include medical records showing diagnosis of illnesses such as cancer, thyroid disease, or developmental delays, as well as proof of residency, employment, or military service at or near the contaminated military site.

Test results from a PFAS blood test, data showing PFAS concentrations in your water supply, and documents detailing your proximity to confirmed PFAS contamination can all support your claim.

Additional helpful information includes records of time spent at training facilities, airfields, or locations where firefighting foam was used.

An experienced legal team can assist with identifying qualifying evidence and navigating claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Superfund law, or other applicable statutes.

TorHoerman Law: Investigating the Williams Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit

At TorHoerman Law, our legal team is actively investigating claims related to PFAS contamination at Williams Air Force Base, a former Air Force training facility with a long history of military service and technical training programs.

The use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) at this military installation has led to significant PFAS exposure through contaminated drinking water and groundwater contamination, posing serious risks to military personnel, service members, and surrounding communities.

With growing evidence of toxic substances like PFOA and PFOS present in the base’s water supply, individuals who lived or worked at the base may now face an increased risk of developing thyroid disease, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and other health problems.

As experienced attorneys in PFAS water contamination lawsuits, TorHoerman Law is committed to helping affected individuals understand their legal rights and pursue compensation for the harm caused by these forever chemicals.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PFAS chemicals during your time at Williams Air Force Base, our firm is prepared to help you gather evidence, file a claim, and hold the appropriate parties accountable for the public health consequences of this environmental contamination.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a PFAS exposure claim instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are PFAS Chemicals and What are they Used In?

    PFAS chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic compounds widely used for their resistance to heat, water, and oil.

    Often referred to as “forever chemicals”, they are slow to break down in the environment and the human body. PFAS are commonly found in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) used at military installations like Williams Air Force Base, as well as in non-stick cookware, food packaging, water-repellent clothing, and industrial applications.

    Their widespread use has led to PFAS contamination in drinking water, groundwater, and soil at many military bases.

  • What Health Concerns are Linked to PFAS Exposure?

    PFAS exposure has been associated with a range of serious health risks and health problems.

    Studies have linked PFAS chemicals to conditions such as thyroid disease, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, immune system suppression, developmental delays, and liver damage.

    Individuals stationed at military sites like Williams Air Force Base, where PFAS concentrations in drinking water supplies have exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), may face a significantly increased risk of developing these health effects.

    The Environmental Protection Agency and other public health agencies continue to evaluate the full extent of PFAS-related harm.

  • What is the Source of PFAS Contamination at Military Bases?

    The primary source of PFAS contamination at military bases such as Williams Air Force Base is the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant used extensively in firefighting training and emergency response.

    AFFF contains high levels of PFOS, PFOA, and other toxic chemicals, which can seep into the ground and contaminate drinking water, groundwater, and surrounding ecosystems.

    The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have identified hundreds of military installations nationwide with confirmed PFAS contamination, raising alarm about the long-term impact on military personnel, civilian workers, and local communities.

    The persistence of PFAS in the environment underscores the urgent need for cleanup efforts and legal accountability.

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