The U.S. Navy is offering free PFAS testing for private wells near Naval Station Mayport, NAS Jacksonville and OLF Whitehouse after some off‑base samples showed elevated levels. Officials are focusing on historical firefighting activities as a likely source and say results so far have been mixed against Department of Defense benchmarks. Homeowners who received mailed notification cards are urged to sign up for free sampling; homes served by Atlantic Beach or JEA are not included. Those concerned about health effects should consult a medical professional.
Navy Offers Free PFAS Testing for Private Wells Near Jacksonville Bases After Some Elevated Off‑Base Results
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Homeowners near three U.S. Navy installations in the Jacksonville, Florida, area are being urged to have their private wells tested for PFAS after some off‑base samples showed elevated levels. The Navy is providing free water sampling for properties near Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Outlying Landing Field Whitehouse as part of a broader, nationwide effort to determine whether PFAS linked to base activity have reached nearby drinking water sources.
What Officials Are Investigating
PFAS — often called "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment — have been associated with a range of health concerns. Navy investigators say they are focusing on historical firefighting activities at the installations as the most likely source of any runoff that could have migrated off base into groundwater used by private wells.
"We believe past firefighting‑related activities are the most likely source being examined. We are testing to see whether any private wells have been affected and, if so, what remedies may be needed," said Captain Ryan Dexter of NAS Jacksonville.
Mixed Results So Far — Why Testing Matters
Officials report mixed off‑base results: some samples are below the Department of Defense benchmark for private drinking water, while others exceed it. Because private wells do not receive routine public‑system oversight, contamination can go undetected unless homeowners take the initiative to test.
Testing can identify whether contamination is present and guide next steps such as installing certified filtration systems, switching to an alternate water source (bottled water or a different supply), or coordinating with authorities for remediation. NAS Jacksonville officials say homes served by the City of Atlantic Beach or by JEA do not need this targeted sampling.
Health Concerns and Next Steps
Research has linked PFAS exposure to elevated cholesterol, increased blood pressure during pregnancy, and certain cancers, though exposure does not necessarily mean an individual will develop these conditions. Medical professionals and researchers continue to study how different exposure levels affect health over time.
Residents who received mailed notification cards are encouraged to register for the Navy's free sampling program. The Navy has held open houses in affected neighborhoods to share information and register residents. Anyone worried about possible health effects should consult a medical professional.
Context
Concerns about PFAS near military installations and in public water supplies have arisen across the U.S. and overseas, including reports from Okinawa, Japan; investigations in New Mexico and Michigan; and federal reviews noting that millions of Americans remain at potential risk from PFAS in drinking water.
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