USAG Ansbach starts PFAS remediation facility to extract toxins from groundwater

ANSBACH, Germany - U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach officially started operating its state-of-the-art pump and treat facility to remove contaminated ground water at the Katterbach airfield during a ceremonial event Oct. 15.

Contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , or PFAS, was first detected at the Katterbach Kaserne in 2014.

"Today is a happy day," Ansbach Lord Mayor Thomas Deffner said at the ceremony celebrating the launch of the facility, which will prevent further contamination of soil and groundwater.

Fire departments worldwide have used fire extinguishing foam containing PFAS for decades. These chemicals can still be detected in the soil today. Often called "forever chemicals," they are not biodegradable. Several types of PFAS are considered toxic, carcinogenic and capable of causing a range of health problems. Carried by rain, they enter groundwater systems.

USAG Ansbach stopped using Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) in firefighting training in the year 2000. It was discontinued completely at USAG Ansbach in 2011 in compliance with European Union regulations. PFAS has not been detected in Katterbach Kaserne's drinking water, which is managed by the city of Ansbach.

Col. Aaron J. Southard, garrison commander, pressed the ceremonial red button to initiate the facility's operations.

"The start of operation of this new pump and treat facility marks an important occasion for our community, our environment and the enduring partnership between Germany and the United States Army," Southard said.

"This is a very important milestone," said Stephan Haas, the geologist with the garrison's environmental division overseeing the project. "It is a safety measure, but not a final remediation," Haas added. The system is designed to prevent contaminated groundwater from flowing into the surrounding area and contaminating wells and bodies of water.

"The U.S. Army realizes that this is not the final step in PFAS remediation at our garrison," Southard said. "But let this mark an important milestone in the comprehensive environmental clean-up efforts at Katterbach airfield."

The pump and treat system consists of nine extraction wells, designed to cut off the groundwater plume emanating from the damage source. The system can treat up to 135 cubic meters of groundwater per day, which is transported through 700-meter-long pipelines to a purification facility where PFAS chemicals are filtered out through a multi-stage process using ion exchangers. The purified water is then discharged in compliance with an associated host nation discharge permit.

In September 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded a contract for the design of the groundwater remediation. The design was completed in July 2023. Two months later, in September 2023, USACE finalized the construction contract, with the kick-off taking place six months later in April 2024.

"We started construction on this project in April 2024. And despite of a wet summer and some construction challenges, we completed it without incident - and-on time!" Southard praised the project team.

The facility includes extensive monitoring of 21 measuring points on the U.S. Army installation, as well as measuring points in the surrounding area outside the installation fence, which are maintained by the city of Ansbach.

"This facility represents more than just a solution to a problem," Southard said regarding the U.S. Army's role as a guest, partner and ally in Germany. "It is a symbol of our shared dedication to safeguarding public health and preserving our natural resources for future generations."

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