Shaw AFB commitment to environmental protection

The 20th Fighter Wing embraces the goal of protecting the environment and our natural resources within their area of responsibility including Shaw AFB, Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, and Wateree Recreation Area. 

Read the full Shaw AFB environmental commitment statement

Environmental Stories

Public Notices

PROPOSED ACTIONS

PFAS Information

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS, are a group of manmade chemicals used for a wide variety of residential, commercial and industrial purposes including: nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabric and carpet, some food packaging and firefighting foam. In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency established health advisory levels in drinking water for two types of PFAS - perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

On April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule on drinking water standards for certain PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The Department supports EPA’s development of a nationwide drinking water standard for PFAS that applies to everyone.  DoD has been preparing to implement the final rule for both our on-base DoD drinking water systems and within our cleanup program.

DoD remains committed to fulfilling our PFAS-related cleanup responsibilities and will take necessary actions to implement the rule, in accordance with the federal cleanup law, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 

The DoD PFAS website (www.defense.gov/pfas) offers additional information about DoD’s actions to investigate and clean up PFAS resulting from DoD activities, DoD PFAS policies, DoD PFAS Task Force, DoD PFAS community outreach activities, and PFAS research and development efforts.

REQUEST PFAS TESTING FOR YOUR WATER

If you live within the yellow border AND have a personal well water supply on your property, contact Mr. Scott Ross of Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations and Management (AECOM), at 803-201-9662, or email a Sample Request Form 

Contact Info:
Mr. Scott Ross
scott.ross@aecom.com
(803) 201-9662

PFAS: MORE INFO

SHAW DRINKING WATER INFORMATION

Shaw Air Force Base receives its water from two different aquifers which are the Upper and Lower Black Creek Aquifers. There are currently five (5) drinking water wells permitted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), which operate on Shaw AFB. In December 2019, SCDHEC conducted a source water sanitary survey for Shaw AFB. For information on the quality of these wells, refer to the current water quality report contained in the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).

SHAW DRINKING WATER PFAS SAMPLING INFO

  • April 23, 2024

    On April 23, 2024, Shaw Air Force Base conducted a base-wide drinking water sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in accordance with DoD policy. Shaw AFB analyzed the water for 29 PFAS compounds. The table below contains the results of those PFAS detected. The Air Force will use this information to begin planning for proper treatment ahead of the EPA’s new PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Standards compliance requirements.
    Learn more: ASD(EI&E) - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (osd.mil).

RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD

The Shaw Restoration Advisory Board is the cornerstone of a proactive community involvement program to promote communication between the community and the Air Force regarding environmental cleanup at the base. The mission of the Shaw RAB is to establish and maintain open and interactive dialogue between the US Air Force, state regulatory agencies and the local community concerning the Environmental Restoration Program at Shaw Air Force Base. Meetings are held biannually and open to the public.
For more information, please contact the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at (803) 895-2019 or via e-mail at 20fwpublicaffairs@us.af.mil

Restoration Advisory Board Meetings

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)

AIR FORCE CIVIL ENGINEER CENTER

AFCEC is responsible for managing the Air Force compliance, restoration, sustainability and National Environmental Policy Act programs. It provides environmental technical assistance and advice to Air Force installations, major commands, higher headquarters and interagency partners. Additionally, AFCEC develops execution strategies for environmental and sustainability issues, as well as projects and programs based on best practices garnered from experience and research. For more information click here.


 

Environmental Publications

Members of the public interested in obtaining a copy of a Shaw Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Analysis Statement should contact the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs at (803) 895-2019. 

Copies of Shaw EISs and EAS are also available for public review at the Sumter County Library.

POINSETT ELECTRONIC COMBAT RANGE

Image of longleaf pines

The 12,500 acre Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, located 20 minutes from Shaw, provides a unique training environment with forest that allows pilots to track hidden targets. Additionally, Airmen and military members have the opportunity to practice survival and navigation training, which prepares them for real-world encounters.

Shaw AFB takes the responsibility of protecting the environment which allows us to train for the combat mission extremely serious.

In doing so, we have pledged a commitment to restoring native species to Poinsett, including the Longleaf Pine, ensuring the health of the environmental ecosystem and re-establishing the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker to South Carolina.