Chemical pollution study begins for Chincoteague residents
NASA at Wallops Island is stepping up their efforts to protect Chincoteague's drinking water after it was contaminated over a year ago by a chemical substance called polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS).
The facility is conducting a study to make sure that the water stays chemical free.
"We are going to be working with our federal and state officials to develop any actions moving forward," said NASA spokesperson, Jeremy Eggers.
"Some of those actions could be continued monitoring and some of those actions could involve remediation action," said Eggers.
According to Eggers, the contamination was caused by firefighter foam used for previous aircraft accidents.
To date, the EPA has not established drinking water standards for PFAS, but that does not mean there was not concern.
To alleviate that NASA has provided the town with their own water supply, and their study will tell them if the soil is in fact contaminated around the wells.
47 ABC reached out to the Town of Chincoteague town manager, but refused to camera time saying there was no need to increase concerns.
NASA has also installed monitoring wells along the facility to investigate the groundwater quality, a step they took to ensure residents that the water will be safe for years to come.
"We are thankful for them and that they keep us from any problems like we did last year with the water," said Megan Smith, a local resident.
The Town of Chincoteague and NASA officials are also working on moving the town's water production wells off the space facility as part of a long-term solution.
According to Eggers, the town received a permit from Accomack County in May to begin exploring a new location for the water production wells.
He said the town has already purchased a property, and they have started studies to test if the area is big enough to service the town's population.
"Longer-term we're working with the Town of Chincoteague to actually relocate their wells off of our property to an area south of the facility," said Eggers.
The Wallops Flight Facility is looking to provide funding for the construction, but they are currently working on getting special permission to support the town.
