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Tests Reveal Suspected Cancer-Causing Substances in Reclaimed Water Supply at Cocoa Beach Golf Course

By  //  August 3, 2018

levels six times higher than found in Satellite Beach

ABOVE VIDEO: During a Cocoa Beach City Council meeting Thursday night, officials called for more testing after potentially cancer-causing chemicals were found in the city’s reclaimed water supply. (WFTV video)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA (WFTV) – During a Cocoa Beach City Council meeting Thursday night, officials called for more testing after potentially cancer-causing chemicals were found in the city’s reclaimed water supply.

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Similar results were announced Wednesday in Satellite Beach.

I don’t think there are problems with drinking water. I think that needs to be out there,” city manager Jim McKnight said. “The concern is we use reclaimed water. Reclaimed water is usually used for irrigation only.”

The city said it tested water at the north end of Patrick Air Force Base, the city’s wastewater plant and two wells at the Cocoa Beach Country Club.

“Our numbers ranged — combined — from a low of over … 100 parts per trillion up to 430 — I think was our highest, and that was actually at Patrick Air Force Base before it entered our system,” McKnight said. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LEVELS

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The City of Cocoa Beach said it tested water at the north end of Patrick Air Force Base, the city’s wastewater plant and two wells at the Cocoa Beach Country Club. (City of Cocoa Beach image)

Tests on Wells Determine Satellite Beach Ground Water Contains Cancer-Causing Chemicals

Preferred Drilling Solutions Inc. an environmental consulting firm that conducted tests on wells in Satellite Beach this week has determined the presence of chemicals used mainly for fire suppression in Satellite Beach’s groundwater. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Sam King image)

BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA ( Aug. 2, 2018) – Preferred Drilling Solutions Inc. an environmental consulting firm that conducted tests on wells in Satellite Beach this week has determined the presence of chemicals used mainly for fire suppression in Satellite Beach’s groundwater.

Satellite Beach City Manager Courtney Barker said on Facebook Wednesday that a verbal report found Perfluorooctanoic Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid used to suppress aviation fires in the sites of three newly dug wells on city property, including one at the Satellite Beach City Hall, one near Satellite High and one at Sea Park Community Park.

“The city has received a verbal report from our testing company,” said Barker.

“The city tested three sites for Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctanoic Sulfonate, which are chemicals that were formally used in fire suppression of aviation fires.

“These chemicals are also used in household products, such as Teflon products, water repellent materials, waterproof sunscreens and other similar items.”

Satellite Beach City Manager Courtney Barker said on Facebook Wednesday that a verbal report found Perfluorooctanoic Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid used to suppress aviation fires in the sites of three newly dug wells on city property, including one at the Satellite Beach City Hall, one near Satellite High and one at Sea Park Community Park. (Amy Green/Marketplace image)

These chemicals were identified by a recent Department of Defense Report as being present in high concentrations at Patrick Air Force Base and Canaveral Air Force Station.

“The City was concerned about the safety of our groundwater for our residents,” said Barker.

“The City tested each site with newly dug wells on city-owned property to reduce the possibility of sample contamination since these chemicals are often present in materials used for the construction of wells.

The results for each site are as follows:

• City Hall, 41.5 parts per trillion
• Jackson Avenue property (next to Satellite High School), 22.85 parts per trillion
• Sea Park Community Park 30.13 parts per trillion

As a benchmark, the Environmental Protection Agency has established a provisional health advisory level for drinking water regarding these compounds, which is 70 parts per trillion (ppt).

The Patrick Air Force Base concentrations ranged from 71 ppt to 4.3 million ppt for 28 different monitoring wells.

“The City is currently discussing these results with state and county experts as to how exactly this impacts our residents,” said Barker. Please use your own judgment as to how you want to handle your irrigation water on your property. Please remember that your groundwater is not your drinking water and we use our groundwater primarily for irrigation purposes.”

The written report for these test results will be sent out to the public on Friday.

The City staff and testing company Tetra Tech will be available for the community meeting being held Sunday, Aug. 5 by Dr. Julie Greenwalt regarding the cancer cluster research. This meeting will be held at the City’s Civic Center, located at 565 Cassia Boulevard at 2 p.m.

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