EPA Secures Commitment with Air Force to Protect Communities from PFAS Concerns in Tucson Drinking Water

October 22, 2024

WASHINGTON- Today, Oct. 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the U.S. Air Force, with its plan of action to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concerns related to Tucson's drinking water, is now in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act Orderissued by EPA on May 29, 2024. EPA will actively oversee actions by the Air Force to ensure communities are protected from exposure to PFAS and that will allow Tucson to use its groundwater resources for drinking water.

The EPA is firmly committed to exercising its authority to protect public health and carrying out its essential oversight role. This includes using EPA's enforcement powers and other tools to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination. These actions are identified in EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap and the new National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to protect communities from PFAS exposure.

"Everyone living in the United States deserves to be able to drink safe water, without fear of contamination from PFAS and other harmful pollutants," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance David Uhlmann. "Today's commitment by the Air Force establishes a strong foundation to address PFAS contamination in Tucson and demonstrates how EPA is working with our federal partners to take action to protect communities. We welcome the efforts by the Air Force to meet its obligations to service members and the residents of Tucson."

"Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Romero and Governor Hobbs, the people of Tucson remained protected from PFAS in their drinking water," said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. "The action today puts in place the cost reimbursements and cost sharing that will enable the city to continue to provide safe and affordable drinking water."

"Thank you to EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman and ADEQ for fighting alongside the city to make sure that Tucson residents are protected from PFAS in our water supply," said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. "We look forward to working with the Air Force and recognize the importance of the extensive sampling and the agreement to pay some of the costs as a responsible party. This is an important first step."

"ADEQ appreciates our partnership with EPA in addressing the challenge of PFAS contamination in Tucson's drinking water aquifer and applauds the United States Air Force for coming to the table and reaching this agreement for the benefit of the Tucson community," said ADEQ Deputy Director Karen Peters.

On October 21, the Air Force sent a letter to EPA outlining a plan to take actions related to drinking water safety stemming from PFAS contamination resulting from its facilities at the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site. The letter outlines the Air Force's commitment to collect PFAS data to determine the extent of contamination; conduct pilot studies for possible PFAS cleanup and undertake actions where appropriate; and work with Tucson Water to cover past and future costs for PFAS treatment at the Tucson Airport Remedial Project.EPA is approving the preliminary plan described in the letter as documentation of the Air Force's commitment to compliance with EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act Order. This is an important step in the compliance process for the order, and EPA - along with its close partners at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) --continues to hold regular meetings with the Air Force and other responsible parties.

Background on EPA Actions

EPA issued a unilateral administrative order under the Safe Drinking Water Act on May 29 to the U.S. Air Force and the Arizona Air National Guard. The order directed these entities to develop a drinking water treatment system that removes PFAS contamination from the groundwater.

On September 20, 2024, EPA and the Tucson Airport Authority entered into an agreement requiring the Authority to determine the nature and extent of PFAS contamination that the Authority is responsible for at the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site, and whether cleanup action at or around the airport property is needed. If so, the Authority must evaluate cleanup options to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the release or threatened release of PFAS at or from airport property. The EPA will not just be a signatory but will actively oversee the work implemented because of the agreement, ensuring that the public's health and the environment are protected.

Background on Tucson International Airport Area Superfund Site

The Tucson International Airport Area site was listed on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983 to address trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination in the underlying aquifer, a potential source of drinking water for approximately 8% of Tucson. An EPA cleanup plan (Record of Decision) and consent decree have resulted in cleanup activities for TCE and 1,4-dioxane contamination. The Tucson Area Remediation Project (TARP) is engineered to provide Tucson with water treated to meet drinking water standards. Groundwater remediation through the TARP project has been a continuous effort since 1994.

In recent years, high concentrations of PFAS compounds have been detected in the groundwater at the Tucson International Airport Area site. PFAS are widely used, long lasting "forever" chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects.

These increased levels of PFAS contamination have led to the shutdown of water supply wells and the discharge of treated water to the nearby Santa Cruz River. This has significantly reduced Tucson's drinking water supplies. Water from the PFAS impacted area is not currently being served to the public, and there are no known private well users on the south side of Tucson currently using contaminated groundwater.

For more information see EPA's September press release: EPA and Tucson Airport Sign Agreement to Protect Major Drinking Water Source for Tucson.

For more information visit EPA's Tucson International Airport Areawebpage.

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