Camp Lejeuene Water Contamination

In 1982 the United States Marine Corps discovered Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the drinking water sourced by 2 of 8 water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune.

Between 1953 and 1987, traces of PCE (perchloroethylene), TCE (trichloroethylene), Benzene and Vinyl Chloride were found in drinking water that has since been identified by the Federal Government as exceeding the current EPA maximum contamination levels by hundreds of times. The two water treatment plants are Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace.

The health conditions include:

Hadnot Point water treatment plant began operation in 1942 and supplied water to the Mainside Barracks, Hospital Point Family Housing, Family Housing at Midway Park, Paradise Point and Berkeley Manor. Hadnot Point had multiple sources of contamination streaming from leaks in underground storage tanks, industrial area spills and waste disposal sites. VOCs identified at Hadnot Point are PCE, Benzene and Vinyl Chloride.

Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant began operation in 1952 and supplied water to Tarawa Terrace family housing and Knox Trailer Park. The source of contamination was identified as an off-base dry cleaning company, ABC One-Hour Cleaners, through their waste disposal practices.

The most contaminated wells were shut down in February of 1985.