EPA hosts forum about contaminated water in Security-Widefield

The Environmental Protection Agency held a forum Tuesday night to discuss the per-fluorinated chemicals (PFC’s) contaminating the water in Security-Widefield and Fountain.

It’s thought the chemicals came from years of firefighting training at Peterson Air Force Base.

This is the third forum held by the EPA across the country in recent weeks. The idea is to learn about the impact PFC’s are having in affected communities and how the agency can help better address the problem.

“What we learn today will be developed into a national action plan which will outline what changes may happen next,” said Sarah Bahram, the EPA’s director of safe drinking water.

“I think we’ve heard clearly that folks want the EPA to regulate PFC’s in drinking water,” she said.

Bahram said regulating will require establishing a maximum contaminant limit.

Families from across the state filled the conference room at Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs.

“I want them to fix whatever they did,” said Steve Patterson, who used to live in Security.

Patterson said nearly 20 of his family members who lived in the affected areas now have cancer.

“Everybody in our family that lived in that area ended up with cancer, but everyone who lives outside that area did not,” he said.

Unfortunately, Patterson’s story is not uncommon. Which is why many people supported the request to regulate a maximum contaminant limit of PFC’s in water.

“Water is our life line and once it’s polluted … it’s very hard to clean up,” said Patience Paisley.

The forum continues Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs.