Environmental testing is being conducted near Canadian Forces Detachment Mountain View in Prince Edward County after some chemicals were found in surface water and groundwater.
A press release from CFB Trenton states poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances, or PFAS, were detected near the landfill during some routine environmental monitoring work.
The presence of the chemicals 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.
At this point there is no evidence that any of the substances are present in residential wells beyond the detachment’s property but, as a precaution, officials will work with nearby property owners to determine whether they rely on private well water, how it is used, and if testing for PFAS is required.
Statement
Environmental testing underway near CFD Mountain View
May 6, 2021 – Trenton, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
During routine environmental monitoring work, poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) were found near the landfill at Canadian Forces Detachment (CFD) Mountain View in Prince Edward County, Ont. PFAS are manufactured chemicals used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Metals and other substances were also found near the detachment’s landfill.
Currently, there is no evidence that PFAS are present in residential wells beyond the detachment’s property. As a precaution, we will be working with nearby property owners to determine whether they rely on private well water, how it is used, and if testing for PFAS is required. Any testing required will begin in May 2021, and the results will inform our next steps. All tests will be carried out by an independent environmental consultant, and the results analyzed at accredited laboratories. To protect the privacy of residents, the sampling area will remain confidential. We will continue to test and analyze results from the detachment and nearby private wells, if required, to better understand the sources and impacts of PFAS in the area.
As a good neighbour, we are committed to managing the effects of our operational legacy responsibly and doing our part to safeguard the health of Canadians. We are working with the province of Ontario, and all test results will be shared with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP), Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, and affected property owners as soon as they are available. We will continue to keep the community informed about this issue and our work to address it.
Residents with questions about our testing program can contact the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton public affairs office at 613-392-2811, ext. 2041. 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 1967, 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.
