Air Force to Formalize Chemical Testing Agreement in El Paso County
In El Paso County, a significant step toward environmental safety is on the horizon as the Board of County Commissioners considers a formal agreement with the U.S. Air Force. This potential contract focuses on testing for forever chemicals in wells located at Fountain Creek Regional Park.
Todd Marts, the county’s director of community services, informed commissioners about the ongoing testing efforts by the U.S. Air Force in areas surrounding the park. This agreement aims to secure continued military access for testing purposes.
Known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” PFOS and PFOA are synthetic compounds notorious for their persistence in nature and the human body. Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been associated with health risks, including cancer.
Communities like Fountain and Security-Widefield have previously faced high levels of these chemicals due to firefighting foam used at Peterson Space Force Base. Since then, measures have been implemented to treat contaminated groundwater.
PFAS contamination is not isolated to this region; it has been identified near numerous military sites worldwide. Efforts to reach Air Force officials for comments on the proposed testing agreement were unsuccessful.
Marts mentioned that two park wells, essential for irrigation and bathroom facilities, typically show chemical levels below acceptable limits. Since 2019, quarterly testing has been conducted, as affirmed by a county spokesperson.
Kyle Melvin, the county parks operations manager, stated that Air Force test results usually fall under the 70 parts per trillion safety level, as per a 2016 EPA advisory for PFOS and PFOA. Occasionally, levels have exceeded this threshold, prompting temporary closures of park bathroom facilities during low-use periods.
The EPA has introduced interim advisories with lower safe value thresholds for these chemicals, although these advisories are not legally binding.
Currently, the county does not conduct independent testing for forever chemicals in its wells, relying on military-provided data. There are future plans to incorporate such tests into the county’s routine checks.
Despite these developments, immediate measures to remove PFAS from park water are not in place. Melvin acknowledged the persistent nature of these chemicals, stating, “In the meantime, there’s nothing we can do to remove the PFAS.”
The county’s parks department is also contemplating the addition of a third well at the Fountain Creek Nature Center, which would be included in the Air Force’s testing agreement.
This agreement would authorize military testing access for one year, with the option for nine annual renewals. The El Paso County commissioners are set to vote on this agreement in an upcoming public session.
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