EPA#: AZ4211890021
AZ99799F515700

Location

The Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR) occupies approximately 480 acres of land and is bounded by Oak Street to the north, 52nd Street to the west, and land owned by the City of Phoenix, Arizona to the south and east | View Map >

Contaminants of Concern (COCs)

The contaminants of concern (COCs) include metals and explosives. Current and historical hazardous substances associated with PPMR operations include: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), oil and lubricants, hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, gasoline (leaded and unleaded), diesel, aviation fuels, solvents, paint-related materials, cleaning compounds/detergents, welding gases, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, batteries and munitions. COCs may change as new data becomes available.

Soil | There is little to no health risk unless there is contact with skin or ingestion of contaminated soil.

Groundwater | If you are connected to a Public Water System (PWS) there is little to no risk of impact from exceedances because the water is filtered through the PWS for residential and business use | View Drinking Water Notices >

If you have a private well in the vicinity of the exceedance, we encourage you to test the well water. Not sure what to test for? | Learn More >

Munition | Do not approach, pick up, touch, or move suspected ordnance, munitions, or explosives debris as serious harm could result.

Action Taken

PPMR serves as the Joint Forces Headquarters for the Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG). PPMR also hosts operational National Guard units at the installation. The AZARNG leases portions of the installation to the U.S. Air Force for administrative and training purposes. The site development includes numerous structures, open storage areas, and training areas. Structures are primarily located near the western portion of the facility.

The third Five-Year Review for the Former Skeet Range (Site S) was completed in 2020. The selected remedy for Site S was determined to be protective of human health and the environment. Currently, no complete ecological exposure pathways exist, and the remedy, comprising Land Use Controls and access restrictions, prevents unacceptable exposures by prohibiting residential use within Site S.

The most active ongoing effort is the PFAS Investigation. In 2021, the Army National Guard (ARNG) finalized a focused Site Inspection that evaluated the potential for PFAS releases at specific areas of interest (e.g., fire training areas, Aqueous Film Forming Foam storage locations, fire stations, etc.). The Site Inspection subsequently recommended that the PPMR proceed to further investigation. In 2024, the ARNG commenced coordination with ADEQ to participate in the technical project planning meetings, and a Final Remedial Investigation Quality Assurance Project Plan was submitted in 2026.

Status

Site S is subject to programmatic five-year reviews, which are reviewed by ADEQ. The next five-year review was anticipated for submission to ADEQ for review in 2026. However, due to funding reductions within the Army Environmental Division, a reprioritization was necessitated. The ARNG elected to eliminate funding for five-year reviews during the 2025 and 2026 federal fiscal years. Currently, there is no update regarding whether funding for the five-year review will be allocated in federal fiscal year 2027.

The Army determined that PFAS constituted a priority and has committed to funding the ongoing remedial investigations. Field work for the PFAS Remedial Investigation is currently underway.