ADEQ will test groundwater sites in Tucson, Phoenix, Mesa, Lake Havasu and Prescott for PFAS

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will begin testing groundwater for PFAS contamination at six sites across the state. The human-made chemicals are used in everything from nonstick pans to a special firefighting foam called AFFF that’s used at airports and air bases.

But, they don’t break down naturally and exposure has been linked to health issues like cancer.

Last spring, the Biden administration introduced formal limits on six types of PFAS found in drinking water. A recent announcement from the Trump administration’s EPA rescinds four of those limits and extends the time period utilities have to come into compliance.

Groundwater testing in Arizona will take place in two sites in Tucson, one in central Phoenix, and one each in Mesa, Lake Havasu and Prescott. Tina LePage, manager of the remedial projects section of ADEQ, says the agency first found PFAS at those locations last fall.

“We did find PFOA, PFOS and GenX and a few others at each one of those sites,” she said, referring to three of the six types of PFAS that were listed by the EPA last year. She says initial ADEQ testing found the compounds in levels higher than the new limits, and the new round of testing will look more deeply at why.

“It’s hard to say right now because there’s so many potential sources and possibilities where PFAS come from, so it’s very difficult right now, because remember we also have fire departments and everything else besides just air bases,” she said.