News

This page highlights recently released information regarding DoD’s PFAS efforts.


September 3, 2024

DoD Releases PFAS Cleanup Guidance

The issuance of DoD’s memorandum, “Prioritization of Department of Defense Cleanup Actions to Implement the Federal Drinking Water Standards for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program,” describes DoD’s plans to incorporate the standards in EPA’s drinking water rule into DoD’s ongoing PFAS cleanups and prioritize actions to address private drinking water wells with the highest levels of PFAS from DoD activities.

View the policy


February 6, 2024

DoD Identifies Locations for Interim PFAS Cleanup Actions

The DoD released today the names of more than 30 DoD installations and National Guard facilities where interim per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup actions are underway or will start in 2024. Read the statement from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations & Environment.

View the DoD press release


September 12, 2023

First Qualified Fluorine-Free Foam (F3) Announced

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the first qualified fluorine-free foam (F3) for use, initiating the replacement of fluorinated Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) for firefighting activities at military installations.


July 17, 2023

A statement from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations & Environment

The Department takes its environmental cleanup responsibilities seriously and I believe it is important to continue the dialogue about the progress we are making to address PFAS. This is a complex issue and one the Department is continuously working on to accelerate our cleanups and demonstrate more effective and efficient management of our cleanup process. DoD’s PFAS Task Force is issuing new policies and guidance to achieve this. These actions illustrate the Department’s sustained commitment to resolving complex cleanup actions at DoD installations...

Continue reading the statement here


July 11, 2023

Interim Guidance on Destruction or Disposal of Materials Containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the United States

DoD issued interim Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Disposal Guidance to help DoD make informed decisions in the evaluation of existing PFAS destruction and disposal options. This DoD guidance applies only to DoD and identifies the considerations the DoD Components will follow before disposing of PFAS-containing materials. It directs the DoD Components to dispose of or destroy PFAS using disposal options with the most stringent controls where an environmental regulator has issued a permit for the facility. This guidance is interim because it will be updated annually based on developing PFAS destruction and disposal technologies, monitoring the effectiveness and potential environmental effects of all technologies, and collaborating Administration-wide on best practices including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates to its PFAS disposal guidance. While DoD is issuing this guidance, which includes incineration as an option, additional planning is needed and DoD will not resume incineration for a minimum of 45 days. The Department will provide notice on DoD’s PFAS website at least two weeks before the Department begins using incineration as a disposal option. See the DoD PFAS Disposal, Cleanup, and Environmental Justice Fact Sheet to learn more about the new guidance.


July 11, 2023

Memorandum for Taking Interim Actions to Address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Migration from DoD Installations and National Guard Facilities

DoD is issuing guidance to expedite cleanup actions by prioritizing interim actions to address PFAS migration from DoD installations and National Guard facilities, where supported by site-specific information. Examples of these interim cleanup actions include removal of soil “hot spots” and installation of groundwater extraction systems to mitigate further PFAS plume migration or ongoing impacts to groundwater from an on-base PFAS source area. With this guidance, the Department is prioritizing cleanup in communities with the highest risk of exposure.


July 11, 2023

Memorandum for Sampling of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in DoD-Owned Drinking Water Systems

DoD is releasing updated guidance concerning the periodic sampling and monitoring of DoD-owned drinking water systems for PFAS worldwide. In anticipation of EPA establishing drinking water standards for certain PFAS and to ensure that the Department makes decisions based on drinking water samples that have been collected and analyzed using the most current methods, this guidance requires a review of existing data and the collection of additional samples from DoD-owned drinking water systems. The guidance also includes requirements for periodic sampling and data reporting. These results will be available to the public on DoD’s PFAS website.


March 23, 2023

DoD is engaged in a multi-faceted Environmental Cleanup Communication and Outreach (ECCO) Initiative to enhance communication with community members and other stakeholders

About ECCO