Kaine, Warner want swift response to pollutants found in wells near Fentress

Alarmed by a report that high levels of contaminants were found in wells near Fentress Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, Virginia’s two senators asked the Navy on Friday to quickly address the problem.

Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner wrote in a letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus that they would like a briefing on the contamination problem, including recent lab reports and health assessments of service members and residents near the facility.

The Navy said Thursday it found high levels of a contaminant from firefighting foam in two drinking wells within a half-mile of the base near Mount Pleasant Road in the eastern part of the city. The wells were among 52 off-base wells tested for levels of perfluorinated compounds. The foam has been used at the facility for decades.

The level of contaminants in the two wells exceeded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provisional health advisory.

The two private properties are being provided bottled water for drinking and cooking, the Navy said. Navy officials said in January that they have advised Fentress workers to use only bottled water until a permanent solution can be found.

“We appreciate the Navy’s proactive efforts to evaluate facilities for this emergent contaminant, promptly notify the local community and deliver bottled water to areas that may have been impacted,” the senators wrote.

But they added that congressional oversight of the problem is necessary.

”American naval strength and force projection rely on the unwavering support of our service members, their families and surrounding communities. Foundational to this support is our moral obligation to ensure their health and welfare,” they wrote.