New Mexico officials fined Cannon Air Force Base $67,000 after the military failed to report a 4,000-gallon PFAS spill into groundwater for over two weeks.
Danielle Prokop reports for Source New Mexico.
In short:
- The New Mexico Environment Department cited the base for violating hazardous waste laws, reporting the spill 16 days later instead of the required 24 hours.
- The base allegedly deposited over 7,000 gallons of PFAS-laden liquid in a pond with 13 lining tears, recovering only half after pumping.
- The PFAS contamination has led to extensive environmental damage, including the destruction of over 3,500 dairy cows contaminated by toxic groundwater.
Key quote:
“This reckless discharge is an example of Cannon [Air Force Base’s] willful disregard for public health and environmental safety in the exact community in which they operate.”
— James Kenney, New Mexico Environment Secretary
Why this matters:
PFAS, or "forever chemicals," persist in the environment and are linked to serious health risks. Groundwater contamination from military bases continues to pose long-term challenges to communities and ecosystems.
Read more: The Air Force investigates large firefighting foam spill at Cannon Air Force Base
