10 Feb 2009 09:00 AM
Minnesota State Agencies To Sample Groundwater, Soil And Drinking Water Supplies Possibly Affected By Firefighting Foams
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will sample drinking water supplies at sites around the state where it is possible that the use of firefighting foams has resulted in perfluorochemicals (PFCs) seeping into the ground.
A type of foam used to fight fires, Class B firefighting foam, contains PFCs. These Class B foams have been effective in fighting petroleum spills and fires that threaten public health and safety. However, at several fire-training facilities, where repeated use of these foams has occurred, PFCs have been found in the soil and groundwater. Thus, use of Class B firefighting foams may have an impact on drinking-water supplies, especially if the training facility is near a well. Class A foams, used for structure and wildland fires, probably don't have PFCs.
In 2008, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) began surveying fire departments to determine where firefighting foams have been used in training around the state. Along with MDH, which is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water, the MPCA identified a number of sites throughout Minnesota for further testing in 2009. The testing will include analysis of soil, groundwater and sediment samples as well as drinking-water samples, both from private wells and from water delivered by public water supplies, such as municipal systems.
The testing sites will include specific areas in Apple Valley, Bemidji, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Cloquet, Goodview, Luverne, Perham, Pierz, Pine River, Randall, Richfield, Rochester and Winona. In addition, two sites, North St. Paul and Cottage Grove, have already been sampled as part of early monitoring done in Washington County. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be sampling at fire training sites, where it is not likely that municipal wells will be affected, at Alexandria, Bemidji, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Claremont, Cottage Grove, Fridley, Goodview, Harmony, Kenyon, Luverne, Myrtle, North Mankato, North St…
A type of foam used to fight fires, Class B firefighting foam, contains PFCs. These Class B foams have been effective in fighting petroleum spills and fires that threaten public health and safety. However, at several fire-training facilities, where repeated use of these foams has occurred, PFCs have been found in the soil and groundwater. Thus, use of Class B firefighting foams may have an impact on drinking-water supplies, especially if the training facility is near a well. Class A foams, used for structure and wildland fires, probably don't have PFCs.
In 2008, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) began surveying fire departments to determine where firefighting foams have been used in training around the state. Along with MDH, which is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water, the MPCA identified a number of sites throughout Minnesota for further testing in 2009. The testing will include analysis of soil, groundwater and sediment samples as well as drinking-water samples, both from private wells and from water delivered by public water supplies, such as municipal systems.
The testing sites will include specific areas in Apple Valley, Bemidji, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Cloquet, Goodview, Luverne, Perham, Pierz, Pine River, Randall, Richfield, Rochester and Winona. In addition, two sites, North St. Paul and Cottage Grove, have already been sampled as part of early monitoring done in Washington County. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be sampling at fire training sites, where it is not likely that municipal wells will be affected, at Alexandria, Bemidji, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Claremont, Cottage Grove, Fridley, Goodview, Harmony, Kenyon, Luverne, Myrtle, North Mankato, North St…
