What You Need to Know About PFAS in NAS Whiting Field's Drinking Water (2024)

If you live at or near Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida, the Navy has just launched a new resource to help you understand what's in your tap water and what it means for your family. Here's what's happening and what you should do.

What is the Navy doing about PFAS at NAS Whiting Field?

The Navy has created a virtual open house website dedicated to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) water sampling at NAS Whiting Field. According to WKRG News, this online resource is designed to provide residents with transparent information about local drinking water testing and results.

PFAS are human-made chemicals used in manufacturing, firefighting foam, and many consumer products. They persist in the environment and can accumulate in drinking water supplies, especially near military bases where aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) have been used for decades during training and emergency drills.

Why is the Navy testing for PFAS at this base?

Military installations are among the nation's most common sources of PFAS contamination in drinking water. The Navy and other branches have used AFFF—which contains high concentrations of PFAS—to suppress petroleum fires during training exercises and at aircraft crash sites.

In 2023, the EPA lowered its health advisory levels for certain PFAS compounds, making detection and notification of contamination more urgent. The Navy's new website appears to be part of broader efforts across the military to inform residents about PFAS levels and available protections.

Who lives at or near NAS Whiting Field?

NAS Whiting Field is located in Milton, Florida, in Santa Rosa County. The affected population includes active-duty service members, their families living on base, and potentially civilian employees and nearby residents who may draw water from the same aquifer. If you receive water from a municipal system serving the base area, you may want to check whether PFAS sampling has been conducted in your specific community.

What do PFAS chemicals do to health?

Scientists have documented associations between exposure to certain PFAS—particularly PFOA and PFOS—and health effects including high cholesterol, thyroid disease, liver damage, kidney disease, and immune system changes. Research in animals has also suggested associations with cancer and developmental effects. However, most human health studies show associations rather than definitive proof of causation, and the significance of exposure at different levels remains an active area of study.

The EPA's updated drinking water standards, issued in 2023, set lower health advisory levels for four PFAS compounds, reflecting the agency's growing concern about even low-level chronic exposure.

What should I do if I live at or near NAS Whiting Field?

Visit the Navy's website: The new virtual open house is designed specifically for residents to review sampling data and get answers to questions about local water quality. Check the site for information about which PFAS chemicals have been detected and at what levels.

Request your water report: Ask the Navy or your local water utility for a copy of recent water quality testing. Utilities are required to provide Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) that detail contaminants detected in drinking water.

Consider your water source: If you currently drink bottled water or use a filter, understand what you're protecting against. Not all water filters remove PFAS equally. Reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon (GAC) filters can reduce PFAS, but effectiveness varies. Check filter certifications and compare options using the PFAS Database finder tool to understand what contaminants are of concern in your area.

Ask about remediation plans: If PFAS has been detected above EPA health advisory levels, ask the Navy or your water provider what treatment or remediation steps are underway. The military has been expanding treatment infrastructure at contaminated bases.

Document your exposure: If you've been drinking water from NAS Whiting Field, keep records of when you lived or worked there, even if you've since moved. This information can be useful if you have health concerns later.

Stay informed: The EPA's drinking water regulations for PFAS continue to evolve. Check back with the Navy's website and your local utility for updated guidance and testing results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the PFAS levels at NAS Whiting Field dangerous?

That depends on the specific chemicals detected and their concentrations. The EPA's 2023 health advisories set reference doses below which known health effects have not been documented in humans. However, the agency considers some PFAS chemicals of concern even at very low levels. The Navy's new website should show you the detected levels so you can compare them to current EPA guidance. Learn more about how we evaluate PFAS risk at our methodology page.

Can a water filter remove PFAS from my tap water?

Some can, but not all. Reverse osmosis systems and certain granular activated carbon (GAC) filters can reduce PFAS significantly, though removal rates vary by brand and model. Pitcher filters and faucet-mounted filters are generally less effective. If you're considering a filter, look for certification and test results specific to PFAS removal.

Should I switch to bottled water?

That's a personal decision. Some bottled water is lower concern for PFAS, while others may contain PFAS at similar or higher levels than tap water—testing is inconsistent. Bottled water also creates plastic waste. Review the Navy's water test results and consult your healthcare provider about your individual risk factors before making a switch.