The aqueous film-forming foam used during training has since been found to contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a category of persistent organic compounds that are considered emerging contaminants. PFAS are also known as perfluorinated compounds (PFC).

The City of Fairbanks retained Shannon & Wilson to assess the site in support of their plans to close the burn pit. During our investigation, we discovered that PFAS were migrating off the property in groundwater. Many local residents and businesses in the area use groundwater as their primary source of drinking water.

Our scope of services was quickly modified to include private well search and sampling efforts. We expanded our private well search and sampling effort between winter 2016 and spring 2017, ultimately addressing an approximately one- by two-and-a-half-mile area downgradient of the site. To date, more than 55 off-site wells have tested above the Environmental Protection Agency's lifetime health advisory level for the PFAS perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Affected properties have been connected to the municipal water system as a long-term alternate water source. In addition to private well sampling, our scope of services has included monitoring well installation and sampling, vegetable matter sampling, and contaminated soil excavation. We continue to monitor select private wells bi-annually.