The U.S. Department of Defense is actively performing assessments of PFAS usage and potential releases at more than 650 military installations throughout the country. The list of installations includes sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Midway Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The military installations being assessed cover a diverse range of DoD facilities, including:

• Air Force Bases (AFB)

• Air Force Stations (AFS)

• Air Force Research Laboratories

• Air National Guard Bases

• Air Force Plants

• Air Reserve Stations and Bases

• Army Depots

• Army and Army National Guard Bases, Forts, and Camps

• Army Airfields

• Army Arsenals

• Army Military Reservations

• Army Readiness Centers

• Army Training Sites

• Army Ammunition Plants (AAP)

• Army Aviation Support Facilities (AASF)

• Naval Air Facilities (NAF)

• Naval Air Stations (NAS)

• Naval Bases

• Naval Weapons Stations (NWS)

• Naval Auxiliary Landing Fields (NALF)

• Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plants (NWIRP)

• Marine Corps Bases (MCB)

• Defense Supply and Distribution Centers

According to the DoD PFAS Task Force progress report, military installations being assessed “represent locations where PFAS may have been used or released and further investigations are being conducted.” The DoD’s initial focus was on installations with historic AFFF use, before expanding to a more comprehensive estimate of installations where PFAS may have been used or released.

While drinking water is a main focus, the DoD PFAS Task Force is also evaluating the potential development of guidance for PFAS cleanup levels in surface water, soil, and sediment.  Of note, the DoD PFAS Task Force has established a policy to monitor and report state-specific PFAS requirements in stormwater discharge permits at DoD installations.  In addition, the Task Force is also evaluating whether to develop guidance in the following areas:

• Disposal methods for media containing PFAS, such as soil and spent media (e.g., filters) within and outside the United States;

• Managing all discharges containing PFAS, including stormwater runoff and dewatering from construction activities; and

• Handling wastewater biosolids and sludge containing PFAS. 

Merit Laboratories maintains DoD ELAP accreditation and is designated as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). Merit Laboratories is a leading national PFAS environmental laboratory, analyzing drinking water, soil, wastewater, groundwater, and other sample matrices, including biosolids and sludge. Contact Merit Laboratories to learn more how about we can assist you in achieving your SBE and WBE subcontracting goals by partnering with us for environmental laboratory testing services.