Fears that UK military bases may be leaking toxic ‘forever chemicals’ into drinking water

theguardian.comPublished: 4/19/2025

Summary

The Ministry of Defence is investigating three UK military bases—RAF Marham, RM Chivenor, and AAC Middle Wallop—for PFAS pollution. These chemicals, which don't break down easily, have been found near drinking water sources and important environmental areas, raising serious health risks as they accumulate in the body. Experts warn that without immediate action, contamination will remain for decades, with potential costs including cleanup efforts and possible legal accountability. The Environment Agency is prioritizing these sites but faces challenges due to limited monitoring capacity. Calls for greater transparency and collaboration are growing as the issue remains underfunded and complex.