Toxic Water Released from Peterson Air Force Base

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Air force Office of Special Investigation are looking to find out if any laws were broken when 150,000 gallons of toxic water released from Peterson Air Force base in Colorado. The water was tainted with a toxic chemical called perfluorinated compound, or PFC. It is used as a fire fighting foam at Petersons and other military installations. It has also been used in non-stick cookware coating. The water discharge was discovered during a routine tank inspection and upon review, officials stated there was no obvious defects in the tank. The water was released into the Colorado Springs wastewater treatment system. The treatment plant is not set up to remove PFCs, which caused the chemicals to still be in the water as it was discharged into Fountain Creek. Officials stated that none of the contaminated water reached the communities drinking water sources, as no communities take water directly from the creek downstream from the treatment plant.

Officials noticed the discharge on October 12th and released an announcement to the public on October 18th. PFCs have been linked to prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer. Air Force officials have not stated how high the levels of PFC were in the water released into the Creek.

If you are a veteran and are suffering from a disease related to PFC exposure at a military base during your time in active service, we are here to help. Call Veterans Help Group at (855) 855-8992 or complete our free veterans benefits case evaluation form.