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devens - sudbury training annex (brac)

DRINKING WATER

The Army is committed to ensuring quality drinking water is provided to its Soldiers, family members, and DoD civilian workforce. The Army and other purveyors (e.g. Privatized water system partners) perform proactive sampling on its drinking water systems for PFOS and/or PFOA IAW Army Policy.

On April 26, 2024, the EPA published a final federal National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) establishing drinking water standards for certain PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This rule applies to public drinking water systems and includes enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) to include 4 ppt for PFOS and 4 ppt for PFOA. The rule provides five years for regulated public water systems to comply. The Army continues to collect necessary sampling information and is taking actions to ensure compliance with the required 5-year timeframe. For the latest Drinking Water sampling results, please see the OSD PFAS On-base drinking water database  https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/eer/ecc/pfas/data/onbase-drinking-water.html

Status: The Army no longer owns or operates a drinking water system at this closed installation. Current property occupants receive water supplied by the local utility. The local utility is responsible for sampling the drinking water system.

CLEANUP ACTIONS

The Army uses CERCLA (Superfund) to investigate PFAS releases and lead comprehensive restoration efforts in coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies. We follow a science-based, phased process to protect public health and the environment.
 
For private drinking water wells, Department of Defense policy (updated in September 2024) calls for proactive interim actions when PFOS or PFOA levels meet or exceed 12 ppt, which is three times EPA’s current enforceable standard of 4 ppt. These actions are taken during the five-year monitoring and compliance phase (ending in 2029, with possible extension to 2031) before formal enforcement begins. When wells exceed this threshold, the Army takes prompt action—such as supplying bottled water, installing filtration systems, or connecting homes to municipal water.
 
PFAS concentrations between 4 ppt and 12 ppt in private wells (or lower for certain other PFAS compounds) are addressed through the full CERCLA process, with final cleanup goals set at EPA’s MCL levels or at background PFAS levels—whichever is higher.
 
Cleanup can take years. As actions progress, this page will be updated with the latest reports, progress summaries, site-specific contacts, and links to detailed information.

CERCLA INFORMATION

CERCLA Phase:  Remedial Investigation planned

DOCUMENTS

Base-Wide Preliminary Assessment for Evaluation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Former Fort Devens Army Installation BRAC  Legacy Sites, Devens, Massachusetts (September 2017)
 
Site Inspection Report for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Former Sudbury Training Annex Former Fort Devens Army Installation (August 2020) 
 
Supplemental Site Inspection Report for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Former Sudbury Training Annex, Areas of Contamination A9 and P13, Former Fort Devens Army Installation, Sudbury Massachusetts (July 2023)

Appendices available upon request

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, contact:  Army BRAC Division

Office phone number:  (703) 830-8663

Office e-mail address:   richard.c.ramsdell2.civ@army.mil
                                                          
Last reviewed/updated: 8/18/2025