Navy Accelerates PFAS Groundwater Response at Former NWIRP Calverton, Launches Interim Treatment System in 120 Days
From Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
CALVERTON, NY – The U.S. Navy made progress in its efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater at Former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) Calverton, bringing an interim pump-and-treat system into operation in just 120 days after initiating the accelerated response.
Located at Site 2, the former Fire Training Area, the system began treating PFAS-impacted groundwater on Sept. 16, processing nearly 23,000 gallons of water in its first eight days of operation.
Ahead of the 64th RAB meeting for Former NWIRP Calverton, the Navy hosted a guided Site 2 walk on Sept. 22 for Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) members and technical stakeholders. Attendees toured two new extraction wells and the active interim treatment system, discussing the project directly with Navy representatives and project engineers. This visit also allowed Navy representatives to hear community feedback and gain valuable local insights from the RAB, whose technical expertise and knowledge continue to foster strong communication with the surrounding communities.
This rapid deployment represents a collaborative effort among the Navy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and environmental contractors to protect human health and the environment, while gathering data to guide long-term cleanup decisions.
“Getting this system operational in under 120 days reflects a great deal of coordination, problem-solving and teamwork,” said Bryan Revell, PE, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Supervisory Project Manager for the site. “More importantly, we now have an active system that allows us to remove PFAS from groundwater that will help determine the most effective path forward.”
Site preparation began in early July, followed by extraction well drilling and baseline monitoring in August. Initial construction wrapped up on Sept. 5, with treatment commencing less than two weeks later. The Navy accelerated this timeline by repurposing a field-tested water treatment system previously used at the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove in Pennsylvania.
The groundwater extraction system currently operates at 20 gallons per minute (GPM) utilizing two extraction wells at depths of 40 and 60 feet. By the end of the year, the team will integrate foam fractionation technology to expand the treatment approach. Once fully operational, the combined systems will have a maximum design capacity of up to 90 GPM.
Beyond treating groundwater, this initial step serves as a practical evaluation platform for testing different PFAS treatment technologies and filtration media under actual field conditions.
“The extraction wells draw groundwater to the surface and direct it through two treatment trains using combinations of granular activated carbon and ion exchange resin,” said Laura Cook, a Physical Scientist with NAVFAC Atlantic. “These treatment technologies are two of the most understood, proven, and commonly used technologies to remove PFAS from water. Testing these media combinations side-by-side will help the team evaluate which method performs best for the area.”
During this phase, the Navy is actively reducing local PFAS levels by extracting groundwater, testing treatment media, and monitoring system performance. The resulting aquifer response data will guide final cleanup decisions and inform long-term remediation strategies.
To support these operations, the Navy is coordinating with NYSDEC regarding the release of treated water into McKay Lake, located within Enterprise Park Calverton (EPCAL). Water releases are anticipated to begin this month.
“The community wants to see faster progress, and we share that drive to actively tackle the PFAS plume,” said Robert “Bob” Fisher, NAVFAC Headquarters Environmental Project Manager. “This interim removal action gives us the opportunity to treat groundwater right now while capturing critical field data. What we learn here at Calverton will help strengthen our future response actions, sharpen our technology, and keep us actively engaged for the long haul.”
The current PFAS actions represent the latest phase of the Navy’s long-standing environmental restoration efforts at Former NWIRP Calverton. Since 1996, the Navy has worked in coordination with NYSDEC to successfully achieve cleanup objectives at 11 sites, removing contaminants from soil and groundwater and addressing legacy munitions-related items across the property. Of the more than 6,100 acres that once comprised the property, the Navy now retains 207 acres across three parcels dedicated exclusively to environmental investigation and cleanup.
To learn more about the history of Former NWIRP Calverton, visit: https://www.navfac.navy.mil/Divisions/Environmental/Products-and-Services/Environmental-Restoration/Mid-Atlantic/Calverton-NWIRP/
NAVFAC MIDLANT delivers comprehensive facilities engineering and environmental services across a broad area of responsibility – from South Carolina to Maine, extending west to Illinois and south to Indiana.
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