EPA v. AIR NATIONAL GUARD (HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION)

Case summary

ON MAY 13, 2015, REGION 3 WATER PROTECTION DIVISION DIRECTOR JON M. CAPACASA ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER PURSUANT OT SECTION 1431 OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT TO THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD (ANG), A COMPONENT OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE (USAF), AND THE USAF (COLLECTIVELY, RESPONDENTS ). THE AO REQUIRES RESPONDENTS TO ADDRESS DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION FROM PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS KNOWN AS PERFLUROOCTANOAIC AICD (PFOA) AND PERFLUROOCTANESULFONIC ACID (PFOS). THE CONCENTRATION OF THESE SUBSTANCES IN GROUND WATER SAMPLES TAKEN IN OCTOBER 2014 BY ANG FROM THE AQUIFER UNDERLYING THE FACILITY, IN TWO PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES IN SEVERAL PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY WELLS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FACILTY EXCEEDED EPA'S 2009 PROVISIONAL HEALTH ADVISORY LEVELS OF 0.4 UG/L FOR PFOA AND 0.2 UG/L FOR PFOS. PURSUANT TO THE ORDER, RESPONDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: (1) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FACILITY INVESTIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESENCE OF PFCs AT THE FAILITY; (2) DEVELOPMENT OF A REMEDIATION PLAN FOR CONTAMINATED PUBLIC DRINKING WATER WELLS; (3) PROVISION OF SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE DRINKING WATER TO CONTAMINATED PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY WELLS; AND (4) DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM PRIVATE REMEDIATION PLAN FOR CONTAMINATED PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY WELLS, CONSISTING OF PERMANENT TREATMENT OR CONNECTION TO AN ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLY. IN A SEPARATE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT, EPA AND THE NAVY ARE CONDUCTING A TIME-CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTION UNDER CERCLA TO IDENTIFY AND SAMPLE PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY WELLS FOR PFCS IN THE VICINITY OF A NAVY-OWNED PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE ANG/USAF FACILITY.

Defendants (1)

• AIR NATIONAL GUARDNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• NAVAL AIR STATION WILLOW GROVE

  1174 TINKER STREET, WILLOW GROVE, PA, 190905050

  Registry ID: 110006116354

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1431-PWS — Emergency Powers/PWS

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• AIR NATIONAL GUARD (HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION)entered 2015-07-09

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2015-05-27Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2015-07-09Final Order Issued