Contaminated Wells Relocation Act

Senate Bill

S. 606

119th Congress

Contaminated Wells Relocation Act

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 149.

Introduced:Feb 18, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Timothy Kaine

Senator

Democratic

VA

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Summary

This bill allows NASA to reimburse Chincoteague, Virginia for relocating drinking water wells from NASA property. The wells tested positive for PFAS contamination from firefighting foam used at Wallops Flight Facility since the 1970s. Replacement wells must be on town-controlled property.

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 149.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill allows NASA to reimburse Chincoteague, Virginia for relocating drinking water wells from NASA property. The wells tested positive for PFAS contamination from firefighting foam used at Wallops Flight Facility since the 1970s. Replacement wells must be on town-controlled property.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Contaminated Wells Relocation ActThis bill permits the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to enter into an agreement to reimburse the town of Chincoteague, Virginia for costs directly associated with the removal and relocation of drinking water wells currently situated on NASA property.  (Drinking water wells located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility near Chincoteague have tested positive for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, resulting from the use of certain firefighting foams at the site beginning in the 1970s. NASA currently operates a water treatment system to remove PFAS from the affected water supply.) Any such agreement must include, to the extent practicable, (1) a provision for the removal and relocation of the wells remaining on NASA property, (2) a description of the location to which the wells are planned to be relocated, and (3) a current cost estimate of such relocation. Replacement wells must be established on property under the administrative control of the town of Chincoteague.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows NASA reimbursement for well relocation costs
Addresses PFAS contamination at Wallops Flight Facility
Covers wells currently on NASA property in Chincoteague area
Requires replacement wells on town-controlled land
Responds to decades of firefighting foam contamination

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Chincoteague residents would get clean drinking water wells relocated away from NASA contamination. NASA would bear the cost of addressing pollution from its past firefighting practices. This provides a model for federal cleanup responsibility.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Subjects

Government liability

Pollution liability

State and local finance

Virginia

Water quality

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

606, 119th Congress (2025). "Contaminated Wells Relocation Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-606