PFAS contamination near Peterson Space Force Base is one of the most significant environmental water quality issues in Colorado history. It's also one of the most misunderstood — both by people who don't realize they're at risk and by people who are worried but don't need to be. This article cuts through the noise with facts.
What Are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s. They're found in nonstick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabric, waterproof clothing, and — most relevantly for El Paso County — aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), the firefighting foam used at military installations for decades.
They're called "forever chemicals" for a reason: the carbon-fluorine bond in PFAS is among the strongest in chemistry. These compounds do not break down naturally in the environment or in the human body. They accumulate over time.
How Did PFAS Get Into El Paso County Water?
Peterson Air Force Base (now Peterson Space Force Base) used AFFF firefighting foam for training exercises for decades. During those exercises, foam soaked into the soil and leached into the underlying groundwater. Because Peterson sits uphill (hydrologically) from Fountain, Security, and Widefield, the contamination plume migrated south — directly into the aquifer serving private wells in those communities.
This wasn't a sudden spill. It was the cumulative result of repeated training exercises over many years. By the time the contamination was discovered and publicly documented around 2016, some private wells in the area had accumulated staggering concentrations.
What the Data Actually Shows
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) testing revealed PFAS at levels far exceeding health guidelines:
- Some private wells in Security and Widefield tested above 1,370 parts per trillion (ppt)
- The EPA's 2024 finalized Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt — meaning some wells tested at over 340 times the new limit
- The previous EPA health advisory was 70 ppt — still far below what was found
This is not a minor exceedance. It represents a serious, documented public health concern for people drinking from affected private wells over extended periods.
Geography Matters: Who Is Actually at Risk
This is where many people get confused. The contamination is geographically specific — it does not affect all of El Paso County equally, and it does not affect Colorado Springs municipal water at all.
Affected areas (private wells): Fountain, Security, Widefield, and unincorporated areas south of Peterson SFB within approximately 5-10 miles of the base. Wells in these areas need individual PFAS testing.
Not affected: Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) municipal water. CSU sources from mountain reservoirs — Homestake, Ruedi, and Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water — that are physically and hydrologically distant from Peterson SFB. CSU proactively tested for 29 PFAS compounds in 2024/2025 and found none above reporting limits. If you're on CSU city water in Colorado Springs proper, PFAS from Peterson SFB is not a concern for your tap water.
What Has Been Done — and What Hasn't
The response to the contamination has been significant. Security Water District and Widefield Water and Sanitation District installed granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment systems for their municipal supplies. The Department of Defense provided funding. Many affected private well owners were connected to alternate water supplies or provided bottled water during the crisis period.
However, the situation for private well owners is not fully resolved:
- Private wells are each homeowner's individual responsibility — municipal treatment doesn't protect them
- Contamination plumes can shift as groundwater flows change
- A clean test result from several years ago may not reflect current conditions
- Newer residents may have moved in without awareness of the contamination history
What to Do If You're a Private Well Owner in the Affected Area
The steps are clear:
- Test your well. A certified PFAS lab panel is the only way to know your specific well's status. Tests typically cost $150-300. Don't assume your well is safe because your neighbor's tested clean — contamination is uneven.
- If results show contamination above 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS: Install an NSF-certified reverse osmosis system (NSF/ANSI 58) for drinking and cooking water. This removes 94-99.8% of PFAS compounds. For whole-home protection, a point-of-entry granular activated carbon system is also effective.
- Do not rely on standard pitcher filters. Brita, PUR, and similar basic filters do not effectively remove PFAS. Water softeners do not remove PFAS. Only NSF-certified RO and GAC systems designed for PFAS removal are effective.
- Retest periodically. Even after installing treatment, annual testing confirms your system is performing as expected.
Health Concerns: What the Evidence Shows
The EPA classifies PFOA and PFOS as carcinogenic to humans. Long-term exposure at elevated levels has been associated with increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, hormone and thyroid disruption, immune system suppression (including reduced response to vaccines), high cholesterol, and developmental effects during pregnancy and childhood. The science continues to develop, but the direction is clear: reduce exposure where possible.
The Bottom Line
If you're on a private well within 5-10 miles of Peterson Space Force Base — particularly in Fountain, Security, or Widefield — PFAS testing is not optional. It's a responsible first step. If your results show contamination, an NSF-certified RO system is the most practical and effective residential solution. If you're on CSU municipal water in Colorado Springs proper, this specific issue doesn't apply to you.
We can help arrange certified lab testing and recommend the right treatment if your results come back elevated. Reach out for a free consultation.