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Occoquan council hears PFAS contamination briefing; officials weigh monitoring, testing and outreach options
Summary
Assistant Town Manager Megan Lubash presented findings that fish and surface-water samples near the Occoquan Reservoir showed high PFAS levels; council discussed monitoring expert panels, advising anglers, private testing and possible litigation, with differing views on signage and further testing.
Assistant Town Manager Megan Lubash presented follow-up information about PFOS and other PFAS levels found in fish and surface-water samples in the Occoquan Reservoir area. Lubash said two recent Virginia house bills prompted state agencies to examine levels; the samples shown to council indicated elevated PFAS across sites upstream and downstream of Occoquan, though the minutes state the fish samples did not reach the state maximum level but did enter the most concerning contamination tier for the species and water sampled.
Councilmembers asked about sample sizes and timing. Lubash said repeated sampling occurs about every three to four years; she noted that airports, military bases and sites such as Vint Hill are likely sources of PFAS contamination. Lubash outlined possible town actions: monitor the PFAS Expert Advisory Panel, inform anglers at fish-themed events about catch-and-release or catch-and-kill guidance, conduct private testing of river or fish, or explore potential litigation.
Vice Mayor Jenn Loges said she opposed signage and questioned the need for local testing given the regional pattern in the data, while Mayor Earnie Porta raised concerns about salt contributions to reservoir contamination from municipal and transportation sources. The minutes do not record the council taking formal action on PFAS at this meeting.
