Warner & Kaine Applaud Unanimous Senate Passage of Legislation to Remove Unnecessary Burdens and Costs to Relocate Contaminated Chincoteague Water Wells

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded unanimous Senate passage of the Contaminated Wells Relocation Act, which will provide NASA with the authority to negotiate an agreement with the Town of Chincoteague to address costs associated with relocating water wells, reimburse for those costs, and give local control of the water supply back to the Town of Chincoteague. Several wells in Chincoteague are located on NASA property, and have been contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been tied to various cancers and other adverse health effects. While the well water is currently being treated to remove PFAS and is safe to drink, these treatments must occur regularly which is an ongoing cost for NASA. This bipartisan legislation would permanently sidestep the contamination while saving the federal government money.

"We're glad that the Senate unanimously passed our bill to cut red tape and allow NASA and the Town of Chincoteague to negotiate an agreement to address the costs of relocating contaminated water wells," said the senators. "We hope the House will follow and pass this legislation."

Warner and Kaine have consistently and ardently supported clean drinking water infrastructure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators voted to pass, included historic funding to address PFAS contamination.

Companion legislation is led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02).

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