Los Alamitos, Joint Forces Base Focus On Water Contamination

LOS ALAMITOS, CA —Firefighting foam is leaving toxic "forever" chemicals in the water near military bases, including Joint Forces Training Base, according to recent stories published by the Los Angeles Times.

The chemicals per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were present in the drinking water of 90 different Army installations, including the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. Exposure to those chemicals, found in the firefighting foam used in training drills and to drown out vehicle and aircraft fires on military bases, has ties to health issues, including cancer, the Times wrote.

In September, a military contractor warned residents using groundwater for drinking water near Los Alamitos "may be exposed to migrating PFAS contamination," the Times wrote. It was also stated that, "the chemicals are suspected of moving into the community water supply."

The Department of Defense is seeking an alternative to the firefighting foam.

In response to these articles, the City of Los Alamitos is now working with Col. Nick Ducich, Joint Forces Training Base Installation Commander, and Ken Vecchiarelli, General
Manager of the Orange County District of Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water).

"Both have identified and concluded that domestic water service to the Joint Forces Training Base is provided by Golden State Water, whose representative's report that their water meets or exceeds all state and federal regulatory requirements," Los Alamitos Interim City Manager Les Johnson said in a media release.

Golden State Water and their staff of professionals are fully aware of the emerging PFAS contamination concern, s and are closely monitoring the development of PFAS regulatory requirements, Johnson said.

Golden State Water prepared some useful information that is available on their website and can be viewed through the link provided below.

Golden State Water also shared that they continue to work closely with the local groundwater basin management agency, Orange County Water District in their efforts to monitor and track these compounds.

OCWD has also prepared information on this matter (ref. their website linked below) For additional information on Golden State Water, visit www.gswater.com or call 1-800-999-4033. For additional information on the City of Los Alamitos, visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org or call (562) 431-3538.