City of Tucson files lawsuit against federal government over water contamination | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The City of Tucson has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging negligence by the U.S. Air Force has caused widespread contamination of the city’s drinking water with harmful “forever chemicals.”

The legal action targets the Department of Defense and demands accountability for the pollution and financial assistance for implementing treatment solutions.

At the heart of the lawsuit are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends safe PFAS levels between 4 and 10 parts per trillion (ppt). However, tests in Tucson reveal PFAS levels nearly nine times higher than these guidelines.

The lawsuit specifically implicates Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where PFAS-laden aqueous firefighting foam was routinely used during training exercises. According to the city, improper handling and disposal of the foam have allowed toxic chemicals to leach into the environment, including groundwater near the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund Site.

In May 2024, the EPA ordered the Air Force and National Guard to address the contamination, citing violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The EPA acknowledged the ongoing dialogue in a statement, saying:

“EPA and Air Force held extensive conversations about EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act order, which resulted in the Air Force’s October 2024 letter. The agencies continue to work together on a path forward for the Air Force’s compliance with the order and cleanup of PFAS in groundwater around the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund Site.”

The lawsuit argues that the Air Force has failed to adequately address the contamination and prevent further damage. Tucson officials are seeking financial damages and demand the Air Force to pay for the cost of a treatment system to remove the chemicals.

The city claims that these actions are necessary to protect public health and prevent long-term environmental harm.

For many Tucson residents, the water contamination crisis has significantly impacted daily life. One resident, living near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, expressed frustration:

“It’s pretty bad. We’ve lived here for almost 25 years. We can’t even drink the water. We have to go to Costco every month to buy water for ourselves and our dogs, and even with a filter, it doesn’t help.”

When told about the city’s plans for a filtration system, the same resident expressed cautious optimism:

“That’d be great. It’s getting harder with our age to keep carting water for ourselves and our dogs.”

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in everyday products for their resistance to heat, water, oil, and grease. Commonly found in items like nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing, they are also a key ingredient in firefighting foam. Once released into the environment, PFAS persist for decades, earning their nickname “forever chemicals.”

John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water, outlined two primary methods used to treat PFAS:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): A filtration process similar to what is used in refrigerator filters to absorb harmful compounds.

Ion Exchange: A specialized filtration media designed to capture and remove PFAS chemicals from water.

Will continue to follow this developing story.