USAG Ansbach starts PFAS remediation facility to extract toxins from groundwater

U.S. Army | October 24, 2024

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"U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach officially started operating its state-of-the-art pump and treat facility to remove contaminated ground water at the Katterbach airfield during a ceremonial event Oct. 15.

Contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , or PFAS, was first detected at the Katterbach Kaserne in 2014.

“Today is a happy day,” Ansbach Lord Mayor Thomas Deffner said at the ceremony celebrating the launch of the facility, which will prevent further contamination of soil and groundwater.

Fire departments worldwide have used fire extinguishing foam containing PFAS for decades. These chemicals can still be detected in the soil today. Often called “forever chemicals,” they are not biodegradable. Several types of PFAS are considered toxic, carcinogenic and capable of causing a range of health problems. Carried by rain, they enter groundwater systems."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• SourcesMilitary bases
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health