Base contacting landowners

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE — Cannon Air Force Base has started contacting landowners near the base to get permission to perform water and soil samples to determine the extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances coming from the installation.

In March 2019, the Air Force found three sites near the base that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for safe drinking water, according to the base release. In March 2021, the base installed Point of Use Filtration Systems.

The remedial investigation will determine the potential impact and what clean-up efforts are necessary for the surrounding soil, sediment, surface water, fish and wildlife, the release states. The $16.6 million pilot study will expand to include full-scale treatment requirements should the test results indicate it as the effective way to eliminate the migration of PFAS off-base.

“Since the discovery of PFAS, the Air Force has replaced the Aqueous Film Forming Foam mixture with a formulation that meets EPA guidelines,” as stated in the release. “Additionally, the Air Force implemented stringent AFFF training and guidance limiting the use of AFFF to emergencies only, requiring immediate clean-up of any dispersal to prevent future impacts to local water sources.”

Cannon Air Force Base is one of the top 10 active air force bases that have been awarded a contract for remedial investigation into the off-site contamination, according to the release.

Information: 575-784-4131 or [email protected]