High levels of ‘forever chemicals’ were found in the drinking water in Glendale, Litchfield Park, and Maricopa county. These ‘forever chemicals’ were identified as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), which were commonly found in the foam which firefighters use to put out fires. The forever chemicals were identified through routine testing and were traced back to the Valley Utilities Water Company.
In response to the contaminated water, the U.S.Air Force has been distributing water bottles to residents and business owners who were affected from the Luke Air Force Base. Nearly 6,000 people living in the area were notified by officials that their water is not safe to drink. Residents are able to use this letter to pick up water bottles and sign up for water delivery at a local distribution center. Some residents have questioned how long the chemicals have been affecting their water, and if this could be the cause of some of their health problems.
The Air Force is going to continue water testing in a one mile radius to help them learn more about the severity and spread of the chemicals. They will continue to use bottled water to tide the community over while a civil engineer works on plans to install a new filtrations system by April.
