Cannon Air Force Base investigating after ‘improper’ dumping of PFAS-contaminated water in pond

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (KAMR/KCIT) – The Department of the Air Force is investigating after what officials with Cannon Air Force Base called an “improper deposit” of about 7,000 gallons of PFAS-contaminated water into a lined retention pond at the base’s fire training area in July.

According to Cannon AFB officials, between July 9 and July 15 the water containing PFAS chemicals, or per-and polyfuoroalkyl substances, was dumped into the lined retention pond after being removed from emergency vehicles as part of the DAF’s effort to eliminate old PFAS-containing firefighting foam from its inventory. As noted in previous reports on MyHighPlains.com, Cannon AFB has been subject to an ongoing investigation and response efforts since the 2018 discovery of PFAS contamination in water sources and the surrounding environment as a result of the firefighting foam.

“We understand the concerns of our community, our Airmen, and their families,” said Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing and Cannon AFB commander, “Please know that we are working expeditiously to address the affected area. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure such incidents do not happen again in the future.”

PFAS or “forever chemicals” have been linked to a higher risk of certain cancers (such as kidney and testicular), low-birthweight, high cholesterol and pregnancy-induced hypertension. They have been used historically for manufacturing purposes for a range of products as well as firefighting materials, but have been found to cause risk to human health and can linger indefinitely in soil and water sources. The Environmental Protection Agency has recently taken steps to restrict PFAS in drinking water due to the understood health risks.

Cannon AFB officials said that the base’s drinking water wells are upstream of the deposit area and were not affected by the contaminated water, and that the Air Force Civil Engineer Center does not anticipate off-base wells to be impacted either.

Cannon AFB detailed that it began investigating the improper deposit in August. The contaminated water still left in the retention pond was removed as well as the pond’s sediments. Investigators discovered that the sediments as well as the liner of the retention pond were contaminated, and the DAF notified the New Mexico Environment Department of the contaminated water release after finding that the liner had been compromised with “tears of various lengths” in multiple areas.

“The impacted area will be sampled and fully characterized to inform any necessary corrective measures,” said Cannon AFB, “Any potential impacts to groundwater from this release would be captured by the existing groundwater pump and treat system that is part of the pilot study on the southeast boundary of the installation.”

The recovered contaminated water from the pond was stored in authorized containers at Cannon AFB to wait for proper disposal, according to officials, and Johnston ordered all waste chemicals containing PFAS on the base be moved into a centralized secured area, inventoried and scheduled for disposal. Further, officials said that Johnston ordered a “comprehensive investigation” into the cause of the improper deposit and appointed a task force to examine and review current environmental compliance training, policy and procedural guidance “to ensure strict adherence” going forward.

Officials said that the DAF will update community members during the next PFAS quarterly public meeting scheduled for Nov. 12.

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