DOD will expand its study of water systems on and near installations after new, stricter federal standards on PFAS were released last week, as Military.com reported.

The Environmental Protection Agency “issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals,” EPA announced April 10 in a press release.

PFAS have been common in firefighting foam and other materials often found on installations.

Military.com notes that as of December DOD had tested water at 707 installations and cleared 133 but that the new standards, allowing a lower level of PFAS in drinking water, may mean more sites need to be addressed. Pentagon spokesman Robert Ditchey told Military.com that DOD will provide water treatment for off-base wells that don’t meet the new standards and will further study water in some defense communities.

“The department supports EPA’s development of a nationwide drinking water standard for PFAS that applies to everyone,” Ditchey said. “DOD has been preparing to implement the final rule for both our on-base DOD drinking water systems and within our cleanup program.”

Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Steven Cardo