NASA, in partnership with the Town of Chincoteague, Environmental Protection Agency, Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, will hold a public information session on recent groundwater and drinking water testing from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, at the Wallops Visitors Center.
NASA, in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, has been conducting testing of the facility’s groundwater monitoring and drinking water wells and the Town of Chincoteague’s drinking water wells for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These tests were done because of historic firefighting activities located on the north-central portion of Wallops mainbase. Firefighters conducted training with a commonly-used firefighting foam that contains PFAS compounds. The firefighting foam was also used to extinguish fires from two aircraft crashes that occurred on Wallops’ runways.
All tests results of the Wallops drinking water and Town of Chincoteague’s drinking water show that the water is safe to drink. These tests were done using an independent laboratory for analysis and reviewed by state and federal health agencies.
NASA will have environmental experts staffing information booths to provide information on the actions NASA has taken to date related to PFAS and to outline future plans and actions. Additionally, health officials will be onsite to answer questions specific to PFAS.
For Wallops’ updates on PFAS testing, see: https://www.nasa.gov/content/information-on-wallops-pfas-testing.
The NASA Visitor Center is located on Va. Route 175 about five miles from U.S. Route 13 and five miles from Chincoteague.
Jeremy Eggers
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia
757-824-2958
Jeremy.L.Eggers@nasa.gov