Navy: Preliminary drinking well water testing shows good results

Jacksonville, FL — It’s some good early news, as the Navy tests drinking water wells around Naval Air Station Jacksonville, for possibly harmful chemicals- the preliminary results they’ve received so far have all been below flagged levels.

WOKV first told you earlier this month that the Navy confirmed per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances- or PFAS- had been found in shallow groundwater monitoring wells on the base. That water is not used for drinking, with that supplied to the base from three deep wells from the Floridan Aquifer and a JEA connection.

The Navy then launched an effort to test drinking water wells immediately around the base, to check for possible contamination. The Navy says preliminary results from 12 wells have indicated levels are below the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory levels. Samples from seven other wells still have results pending. The tests are done at no cost to the private well owners.

This is part of a nationwide effort to test drinking water for any impact of chemicals previously used on Navy installations. PFAs were most often found in firefighting foam used at Navy bases, but are manmade chemicals that don't absorb well in to the soil, meaning they can migrate in to groundwater. Studies have shown exposure to certain levels of these chemicals could lead to cancer and other health issues.