Contaminated Wells Relocation Act

H.R. 1419 would allow NASA to enter into an agreement with the town of Chincoteague, Virginia to pay for the removal and relocation of drinking water wells currently located on NASA property. The wells have been contaminated with PFAS, a type of chemical found in certain firefighting foams that NASA has used at its Wallops Flight Facility since the 1970s. NASA currently operates a water treatment system to address the contamination.

Under the bill, any agreement between NASA and Chincoteague would need to include details about which wells would be removed and relocated, where the new wells would be placed, and cost estimates for the relocation work. The replacement wells would be established on property controlled by the town of Chincoteague rather than on NASA property. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.