Today, Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (NM-2) passed an amendment to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorizes the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of each military branch to use funds to provide fresh water or treatment for agricultural purposes in response to PFAS contamination. Here is a statement from the office of Rep. Torres Small:

In 2018, the U.S. Air Force confirmed that firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals used around Cannon Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico contaminated nearby groundwater. Contaminated water has proven to be harmful to human health and jeopardizes surrounding affected communities.

In addition to endangering the water supply for local communities, PFAS contamination affected several agricultural wells that feed New Mexican dairy farms and resulted in major disruptions for the local industry. The amendment would ensure that the Department of Defense has the authority to provide uncontaminated water or water treatment when military bases are found responsible for PFAS contamination in agricultural products destined for human consumption.

“Rural communities have embraced their role in supporting our servicemembers and military installations. However, that support should not come at the cost of safe drinking water or our local agriculture economy,” Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small said. “My amendment will ensure that New Mexico’s robust agricultural sector has access to the clean and safe water it needs to thrive.”

To read the text of the amendment, please click here.