JBLM McChord Field

Q: Is JBLM McChord Field water safe to drink?

JBLM McChord Field (PWS ID: WA5352200) has 343 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 3 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 13,115 people using Groundwater sources.

Q: What type of violations does JBLM McChord Field have?

JBLM McChord Field has 343 total violations: 1 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 342 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Q: Has PFAS been detected in JBLM McChord Field water?

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 3 PFAS compounds in JBLM McChord Field's water supply: PFOS, PFHxS, lithium. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

Q: What water source does JBLM McChord Field use?

JBLM McChord Field uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.

Q: Where does this data come from?

All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Reviewed byPlainWater Editorial, Drinking Water Quality Editorial Team · June 4, 2026

PWS ID: WA5352200 · Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington 98433

JBLM McChord Field serves 13,115 people in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington using Groundwater water sources. It has 343 recorded EPA violations, including 1 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (3 compounds found).

Water Quality Snapshot: JBLM McChord Field

JBLM McChord Field is a federal-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 13,115 residents in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (Pierce County) through 1,775 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 343 total violations for this system , of which 1 (0%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 342 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2015.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Nitrate, recorded in 23 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 3 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 10.7 ppt. PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Washington, EPA tracks 4,557 public water systems serving 9,736,844 people, with 314,648 cumulative violations and 20,590 health-based violations on record. About 92% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 69 violations. JBLM McChord Field's 343 violations sit above the Washington average. Statewide, 98 of 247 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (39.7%). All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

3 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served

13,115

Total Violations

343

Health-Based Violations

Water Source

Groundwater

System Details

System Type: Community
Owner Type: Federal
Connections: 1,775
County: Pierce
School/Daycare: No
MCL Violations: 1
Monitoring Violations: 342
Treatment Tech Violations: 0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant	Category	Count	Latest
Nitrate	MR	23	2015
DICHLOROMETHANE	MR	15	2011
o-Dichlorobenzene	MR	15	2011
Vinyl chloride	MR	15	2011
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene	MR	15	2011
Carbon tetrachloride	MR	15	2011
1,2-Dichloropropane	MR	15	2011
1,1,2-Trichloroethane	MR	15	2011
CHLOROBENZENE	MR	15	2011
Benzene	MR	15	2011
Toluene	MR	15	2011
Ethylbenzene	MR	15	2011
Styrene	MR	15	2011
p-Dichlorobenzene	MR	15	2011
1,1,1-Trichloroethane	MR	15	2011
Tetrachloroethylene	MR	15	2011
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene	MR	15	2011
1,1-Dichloroethylene	MR	15	2011
1,2-Dichloroethane	MR	15	2011
Trichloroethylene	MR	15	2011
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene	MR	15	2011
Diquat	MR	4	2005
Lead and Copper Rule	MR	4	2008
Arsenic	MR	2	2014
Coliform (TCR)	MR	2	1991
Coliform (TCR)	MCL	1	1996
Fluoride	MR	1	1979
Selenium	MR	1	1979
Chromium	MR	1	1979
Mercury	MR	1	1979

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 8 of 390 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant	Date	Result	MRL	Status
PFMPA	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBA	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMBA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFEESA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
NFDHA	9/17/2025	<0.02 µg/L	0.02 µg/L	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
lithium	9/17/2025	<9 µg/L	9 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTA	9/17/2025	<0.008 µg/L	0.008 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeS	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOS	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxS	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTrDA	9/17/2025	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
NEtFOSAA	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
ADONA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOA	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDoA	9/17/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFUnA	9/17/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	9/17/2025	<0.006 µg/L	0.006 µg/L	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	9/17/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
PFNA	9/17/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	9/17/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOA	6/28/2023	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOS	6/28/2023	0.0053 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Detected
PFNA	6/28/2023	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxS	6/28/2023	0.0080 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Detected
PFHpA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBS	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFEESA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpS	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeS	6/28/2023	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
NFDHA	6/28/2023	<0.02 µg/L	0.02 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMBA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMPA	6/28/2023	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	6/28/2023	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	6/28/2023	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDoA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBA	6/28/2023	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxA	6/28/2023	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records — or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status — go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for JBLM McChord Field.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS — Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID WA5352200 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Washington Drinking Water Authority

Washington State Department of Health — Office of Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects JBLM McChord Field under EPA-delegated authority.

Open WA regulator portal

Source: Washington State Department of Health — Office of Drinking Water

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest)	Contaminant	Category	Count	EPA Record
2015	Nitrate	MR	23	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 1040
2014	Arsenic	MR	2	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 1005
2011	DICHLOROMETHANE	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2964
2011	o-Dichlorobenzene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2968
2011	Vinyl chloride	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2976
2011	trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2979
2011	Carbon tetrachloride	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2982
2011	1,2-Dichloropropane	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2983
2011	1,1,2-Trichloroethane	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2985
2011	CHLOROBENZENE	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2989
2011	Benzene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2990
2011	Toluene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2991
2011	Ethylbenzene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2992
2011	Styrene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2996
2011	p-Dichlorobenzene	MR	15	SDWIS / WA5352200 / 2969

How JBLM McChord Field Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric	JBLM McChord Field	Washington avg	Federal benchmark
Total violations	343	69	SDWA compliance — any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations	1	4.5	Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection	3 compounds	39.7%	EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served	13,115	2,137	Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 4,557 regulated public water systems in Washington.

Federal MCL reference — Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼

Contaminant	Federal MCL / Action Level	Note
Lead	0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L)	Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic	0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)	Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform	Treatment technique (RTCR)	Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS)	4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule)	Compliance deadline 2029
Nitrate (as N)	10 mg/L	Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is JBLM McChord Field water safe to drink? ▼

JBLM McChord Field (PWS ID: WA5352200) has 343 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 3 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 13,115 people using Groundwater sources.

How many people does JBLM McChord Field serve? ▼

JBLM McChord Field serves 13,115 people in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is a Federal-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 1,775 service connections.

What type of violations does JBLM McChord Field have? ▼

JBLM McChord Field has 343 total violations: 1 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 342 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Has PFAS been detected in JBLM McChord Field water? ▼

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 3 PFAS compounds in JBLM McChord Field's water supply: PFOS, PFHxS, lithium. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

What water source does JBLM McChord Field use? ▼

JBLM McChord Field uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.

Where does this data come from? ▼

All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

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