Family sues Navy over tainted water at Pennsylvania bases

By

The Associated Press

A C-130 Hercules prepares to land. C-130s are flown by Airmen assigned to the 913th Airlift Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, Pa. Air Force Reserve Command officials briefed congressional leaders Jan. 3 on plans to deactivate the command’s 913th AW. (U.S. Air Force photo)

NORRISTOWN, Pa. — A family has filed the first lawsuit against the Navy alleging their drinking water has been tainted by firefighting foams once used at two former bases in suburban Philadelphia.

A Navy spokesman didn’t immediately respond when notified of the lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Giovanni family of Warrington. They live near the Horsham Air Guard Station.


The Navy has previously said it’s taking action after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Congress raised concerns about the water at the Air Guard station, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove and the Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster.

The lawsuit contends the bases are the source of cancer-causing chemicals found in nearly 100 public and private wells near the properties.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, medical testing for affected families, and other relief.