Kiggans Fights to Provide Safe Drinking Water to Chincoteague

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the Contaminated Wells Relocation Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would ensure the residents of Chincoteague, Virginia have access to safe drinking water free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Specifically, this legislation would authorize NASA to reimburse the town of Chincoteague for the costs associated with the removal of contaminated wells, as well as the relocation of these wells to a safe location free from groundwater contamination. 

Congresswoman Kiggans introduced this legislation alongside Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) in the House, and Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced its companion bill in the Senate.

“When families turn on their sinks, they should never have to worry about the quality of their water,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Ensuring access to safe drinking water is a fundamental responsibility we owe to every resident in our district, and I am proud to introduce this legislation to secure a safe and reliable water supply for Chincoteague. I remain committed to working with local leaders and federal agencies to ensure our communities get the necessary resources they deserve.”

“We’re proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to remove unnecessary burdens to allow the Town of Chincoteague and NASA to come to an agreement on the costs of relocating contaminated water wells,” said the members. “We will keep working together to get this across the finish line.”

Background:

You can find the full text of this bill here.

You can find a one pager on this bill here.

• The Contaminated Wells Relocation Act would authorize NASA to reimburse the town of Chincoteague for the costs associated with the removal of contaminated wells, as well as the relocation of these wells to a safe location free from groundwater contamination.

• This legislation would also require that the NASA Administrator submit to Congress a report on the plan for said removal and relocation within 18 months.

• From the late 1970s to 1988, the Navy conducted fire training activities on Navy-owned land on the north-central portion of Wallops Island, using a common firefighting foam that contained PFAS compounds.

• The firefighting foam was also used to extinguish fires from an aircraft crash that occurred at Wallops in 1998.

• NASA has since acquired this land from the Navy, on which are located four drinking water wells owned and operated by the town of Chincoteague, VA.

• These wells have since become contaminated due to the use of PFAS firefighting foam, and NASA has been providing a temporary water supply in the meantime so residents have access to clean drinking water. 

• As a permanent solution, NASA has agreed to reimburse Chincoteague for the relocation of the wells offsite of Wallops, an action that requires specific legislative authority.

• This language was included in the 2024 House-passed NASA Reauthorization Act, which passed the House 366-21.

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