Joint Base Charleston is one of the largest military installations in South Carolina, encompassing the Air Force Base in North Charleston and Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek. Both facilities have documented histories of AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) use — the fire suppression foam now known to be a primary source of PFAS contamination in drinking water nationwide.
How PFAS Travels from Military Bases to Tap Water
AFFF foam was used for decades in fire training exercises. When sprayed on training areas, it soaks into soil and eventually reaches groundwater. From groundwater, PFAS migrates into drinking water wells and surface water supplies. The Department of Defense lists Joint Base Charleston's PFAS remedial investigation as underway (DoD PFAS status report, December 2023).
What Charleston's Water System Does About It
Charleston Water System draws mostly from the Bushy Park Reservoir, with the rest from the Edisto River, and publishes its PFAS results in its annual water quality report. Private wells aren't covered by any utility report, so a certified lab test is the only way to know.
Testing and Treatment in the Charleston Area
If you live near Joint Base Charleston or the Naval Weapons Station, a certified PFAS lab test is worth considering — especially for well water customers. Municipal customers may also want to test at the tap, since system-wide results don't reflect individual household conditions.
Reverse osmosis is among the treatment technologies the EPA identifies for PFAS at the tap. A ClearFlow free in-home test screens your water and helps us recommend an appropriate approach; system performance is defined by the manufacturer's published specifications.
Call (843) 742-1196 to schedule your free Charleston PFAS test.
