Toxic hazard: PFAS contamination spreading from former Seneca Military Depot to Seneca Lake

Recent testing for PFAS “forever chemicals” in water drawn from several locations in Seneca Lake and its tributaries provides new evidence that PFAS contamination at the former Seneca Military Depot is spreading beyond its boundaries.

**Earlier this summer, SLPWA and FLI tested the water for PFAS.**

Three streams flowing from the former military base had the highest total PFAS values from water testing at 12 streams, four lake locations and one wastewater treatment plant conducted jointly by Seneca Lake Clean Water Association and Finger Lakes Institute.

By far the highest readings were recorded at Kendaia Creek, which drains from the center of the former landfill, followed by Reeder Creek and Indian Creek. The results appear to confirm those from the state’s previous tests fish in Kendaia Creek had very high levels of PFAS.

SLPWA released its report on early summer testing to members this week.

“We hope that the results will spur one (government) agency to take action,” said Mark Petzold, vice president of SLPWA. “EPA asked the Army Corps to conduct testing and they refused. We hope they will reconsider this position.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formally requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to collect surface water and sediment samples from Kendaia and Reeder streams to check for PFAS.

On its website, the EPA described the streams as “potential PFAS pathways to Seneca Lake,” but said, “To date, the Army has not agreed to our request.”

Shortly after WaterFront published it article regarding the EPA allegationthe army asked the agency to remove reference to the proposal from its website. The Environmental Protection Agency did.

Both the Army and EPA declined to comment on the SLPLA/FLI test results.

“While EPA appreciates the important work done by community organizations like the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, we cannot comment on their study because we were not involved in the sampling process or analysis,” said Stephen McBay, EPA information officer public village statement to WaterFront.

In an email statementThe army said:

“The Army/USACE (United States Army Corps of Engineers) will not comment on external research because it was not conducted within our purview or evaluated in accordance with our quality control standards or data quality objectives prior to publication.”

The statement, filed by military public affairs specialist James D’Ambrosio, went on to say that the EPA website contained an incorrect interpretation “which has now been corrected….

“The Army/USACE has not denied any sample request. We focus on collecting samples within the boundaries of the former base. If the results show migration to off-base receptors – then and only then – will the Army/USACE continue to collect samples.”

EPA recognized the Army’s primary role as the lead government agency in assessing contamination at the former military base. But the EPA maintains website dedicated to the former depot in Romulus.

The Army said it is currently conducting three studies of PFAS at the depot, including an examination of four sites where firefighting operations were conducted. Firefighting foam contains PFAS compounds and groundwater near firefighting sites contains high levels of PFASaccording to a 2018 study

**In a 2018 report for the U.S. Army, Parsons Corp. reported that groundwater at the former Seneca military depot had PFAS levels as high as 92,000 parts per trillion.**

Between April and October last year, the EPA said, the Army collected samples of groundwater, surface water and sediment near depot fire drill sites. The agency said the Army is expected to release the results this winter.

“This is what we’re waiting for,” Petzold said. “Where has the groundwater gone? They are looking for a (PFAS) plume.”

PFAS is an acronym for a class of thousands of artificial chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contained in hundreds of popular products, including waterproof clothing, stain-resistant furniture, fast food packaging and cosmetics.

**Kendaia Creek drains water from the center of the former Seneca Army Depot, past SEAD 25, a former firefighting site. Reeder and Indian creeks flow along the sides of the base.**

They are extremely persistent in the environment, and exposure to even trace amounts can lead to kidney and liver damage, several types of cancer, and other health problems.

New York State limits two variants of PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – to 10 parts per trillion in public drinking water. The EPA limit for these two chemicals in tap water is 4 parts per trillion. While many other PFAS compounds are likely equally dangerous, virtually all are unregulated.

Evidence that PFAS had reached Seneca Lake emerged early last year when the state The Department of Environmental Protection tested 34 lake trout and yellow perch. The agency reported that 27 fish had PFOS levels above 2,000 parts per trillion, and five fish had PFOS levels above 15,000 ppt.

A few weeks later a SUNY-ESF reported that the average level of PFOS detected in the Seneca lake trout tested was 11,800 ppt.

In particular, PFOS accumulates in fish – nationwide. However, the water in which fish swim often has concentrations thousands of times lower.

In fact, SLPWA/FLI water testing from four sites on Seneca Lake showed cumulative PFAS readings ranging from 1.0 ppt to 2.96 ppt. However, PFOS, a chemical most likely to accumulate in fish, was not detected.

“We found no detectable PFOS in the lake,” Petzold said. “It’s one of those things that leave you scratching your head.”

**Water samples were collected from Kendaia Creek near Seneca Lake, well below the boundary of the former military depot.**

Kendaia Creek combined for PFAS at 90.90 ppt, followed by Reeder Creek at 18.95 ppt and Indian Creek at 11.71 ppt. PFOS levels were 3.65 ppt in Kendaia and 1.10 ppt in Reeder Creek, but were not detected in water from Indian Creek. Petzold said all three had detectable levels of other PFAS compounds commonly found in firefighting foams.

After the three streams flowing from the former military base, the site SLPWA examined with the next highest PFAS total was the Penn Yan Wastewater Treatment Plant, at 8.10 ppt.

Next was Plum Creek, on the west side of Seneca Lake, at 6.92 ppt. Catharine Creek, at the southern end of the lake, recorded a total PFAS of 5.05.

Wastewater treatment plants currently do not have regulated limits for PFAS content in wastewater.

However, DEC is currently testing wastewater treatment plants across the state. The agency is expected to release test results next year, Petzold said, and state-imposed limits could be implemented soon.

DEC did not respond to emailed questions.

SLPWA/FLI samples were collected by students and sent to Cornell University for testing.

Peter is a three-time Pulitzer Prize-nominated reporter covering environmental issues for his first-of-its-kind digital publication Water Front. He has won several awards from the Associated Press, UPI and the Society of Professional Journalist. His reporting on environmental issues continues to appear in leading New York publications and is available on FingerLakes1.com through exclusive content partnerships. Have a question or lead? Send this to (email protected).