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Montgomery County issues PFAS advisory near former Public Safety Training Academy; offers free well testing within one mile
Summary
County officials said elevated PFAS were detected in a stream near Great Seneca Highway adjacent to the former Public Safety Training Academy, issued an advisory to avoid contact, and will provide free well testing within one mile while coordinating further testing and town halls with state and water partners.
County environmental and health officials briefed the Council on June 30 about elevated levels of PFAS discovered in a small stream near Great Seneca Highway adjacent to the former Public Safety Training Academy and described immediate responses.
“The PFAS contamination was found in a small stream near the Great Seneca Highway,” Sean O’Donnell said. Officials said firefighting foam used historically at the training site is suspected as a contributor; the county and state have ongoing lawsuits alleging responsible parties knowingly used PFAS‑containing foam despite health risks.
County actions: Officials said they have issued a public‑health advisory urging people to avoid contact with the water and to avoid consuming fish caught there. The Department of Environmental Protection is conducting door‑to‑door outreach, placed orange fencing and signage, held an in‑person town hall on June 17 and scheduled a follow‑up virtual town hall. DEP identified fewer than ten private wells in the area and will offer free testing within a one‑mile radius.
Potomac interceptor update: At the same briefing, staff summarized the January 19 release of an estimated 243 million gallons from a Potomac interceptor break; testing and sediment sampling continue under Maryland Department of the Environment oversight and some sediment sampling results have fluctuated, with additional samples expected in the week after the briefing.
What residents should do: Officials emphasized that drinking water systems are monitored and that the detected PFAS were not found in drinking water intakes; however, they advised residents not to drink or allow children or pets to ingest water from the affected stormwater ponds and discouraged consuming fish from those waters until further testing.
Next steps: More soil and water tests are planned; state and county partners will provide updates by email and at scheduled town halls. DEP will continue to evaluate wells used for drinking and coordinate follow‑up sampling with MDE and WSSC.
