The Department of National Defence continues to investigate the discovery of harmful chemicals in the area of CFD Mountainview in Prince Edward County.
The DND has been working since spring of 2021 to address the issue after per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) and benzene were discovered near the landfill at the detachment.
The PFAS on the property are thought to mostly be related to the past use of firefighting foams for training while the benzene may be the result of past fuel use storage practices.
Drinking water is being monitored in a sampling program of homes near the detachment with the latest round concluding in mid-February.
While all residential wells are below Health Canada’s acceptable levels for PFAS, four are above provincial levels.
Two properties have also tested above the provincial guidelines, but below federal guidelines, for benzene.
Out of an abundance of caution, the DND is providing bottled drinking water to all properties with wells above the provincially recommended levels.
The department says it continues to work towards a long-term solution in collaboration with local health units, provincial regulators, and the affected property owners.
Statement
Update on PFAS water testing at CFD Mountain View
Trenton, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Department of National Defence (DND) is committed to keeping neighbors of Canadian Forces Detachment Mountain View informed about our work to address the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) and benzene near the detachment. Since spring 2021, we have taken concrete steps to address this issue. To this end, we are monitoring the drinking water of homes in our sampling program near the detachment, and are conducting further environmental studies both on the detachment and in surrounding areas.
While PFAS levels in all residential wells in our sampling program are below Health Canada’s PFAS screening values and guidelines, four properties are currently above the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) interim advice value for PFAS. Two properties have also tested above the provincial guidelines, but below federal guidelines, for benzene. At this time, the cause of the presence of PFAS and benzene is unknown, and further studies are needed to determine potential sources of the contamination. However, out of an abundance of caution, we are providing bottled drinking water to all properties with wells having PFAS and benzene levels above the provincially recommended levels for drinking water. We will continue to provide bottled water at these locations until we have determined a long-term solution. This work is being done in collaboration with local health units, provincial regulators, and the affected property owners.
We are committed to the health and safety of nearby residents and managing the effects of our past operations responsibly. We are working with the province of Ontario, the MECP, and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, and will continue to provide regular updates to the community on what we are doing to address the issue. The latest round of sampling recently concluded in mid-February 2022. All tests will continue to be carried out by an independent environmental consultant, and the results analyzed at accredited laboratories.
Residents with questions about our testing program can contact the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton public affairs office at 613-392-2811, ext. 4565. Health-related questions about water quality can be directed to Hastings Prince Edward Public Health at 613-966-5500.
PFAS have been found in surface water and groundwater on CFD Mountain View property. The presence of PFAS on CFD Mountain View property is thought to be related to the past use of firefighting foams for training, as well as past waste management practices at the detachment’s landfill. From the mid-1940s until the closure of the detachment’s fire hall in 1997, DND conducted firefighter training on the detachment. At times, firefighting foams containing PFAS were used during training. These activities were conducted according to the accepted practices and regulations of the time.
We have also found benzene at the inner landfill and the former firefighter training area at the detachment. The presence of benzene on the property is thought to be related to past fuel use storage and practices at the detachment.
