Investigation finds firefighting foam as only source of PFAS at Perdue AgriBusiness facility
An investigation led by Langan Engineering & Environmental Services finds that firefighting foam used in the facility’s former fire suppression system is the only site-specific source of PFAS identified to date.
Perdue AgriBusiness is sharing a one-year update on its ongoing work with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to address elevated levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) detected in the groundwater at its Zion Church Road facility in Salisbury, Md.
An investigation led by Langan Engineering & Environmental Services found that firefighting foam used in the facility’s former fire suppression system is the only site-specific source of PFAS identified to date. That fire suppression system has been replaced with a non-PFAS alternative as part of Perdue AgriBusiness’ upgrades to remove and treat potential instances of PFAS at the facility.
In addition to investigating the source of PFAS at the facility, Perdue AgriBusiness’ response to MDE’s original findings has included testing private well water and installing treatment systems at all affected homes who requested a system, providing free bottled water and installing treatment systems and several preventative upgrades at the facility.
“Salisbury is our home, and we take our responsibility to our neighbors seriously,” said Drew Getty, SVP for environmental sustainability. “It was important – and I’m certain reassuring to our neighbors – that we have identified the PFAS source. I am confident that the steps we have taken over the past year will adequately address the PFAS contamination. We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our community.”
Latest updates:
- Identified the only site-specific source: To date, discharges from the facility's previous fire suppression system were identified as the only site-specific source of PFAS.
- Completed residential well water testing: Well water testing is complete for properties within the MDE-designated area that requested testing.
- Nearly completed installation of treatment systems: Point of entry treatment (POET) systems have been installed at 91% of impacted properties and 100% of those that requested a POET system. These systems reduce PFAS below US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for public drinking water.
- Completed facility upgrades:
- A Comprehensive Outflow Treatment System became operational in July 2025, reducing regulated PFAS in the facility’s treated wastewater to trace levels.
- A non-PFAS fire suppression system was installed to replace the previous system, which used Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and was identified as the only site-related source of PFAS contamination.
Perdue AgriBusiness and Langan continue to implement a comprehensive, iterative workplan approved by MDE. This plan provides a roadmap for further sampling at the facility to identify and analyze potential sources and pathways at the site.
Additional information is available at salisburywatertesting.com.
Timeline
November 2019: Last known accidental AFFF discharge.
August 2023: MDE contacts Perdue AgriBusiness as part of a statewide PFAS assessment; elevated PFAS (PFOA/PFOS) are identified in facility wastewater.
December 2023: MDE mandates expanded testing at Zion Church Road facility.
September 2024: Following MDE’s findings, Perdue AgriBusiness launches an extensive private well-testing initiative and begins installing POET systems at impacted properties at no cost.
November 2024: MDE-designated testing area expanded based on early results.
January 2025: Langan identifies historical AFFF usage as a potential PFAS source pathway.
June 2025: MDE approves the facility PFAS Investigation Plan.
July 2025: Residential testing complete for all properties where testing was requested; Comprehensive Outflow PFAS Treatment System becomes operational; non-PFAS fire suppression system becomes operational.
November 2025:
- POET installations complete at 91% of impacted properties and 100% of impacted properties that requested POET system; outreach continues to impacted properties that have not requested treatment.
- A thorough investigation into the source of the PFAS in the groundwater at Zion Church Road identified firefighting foam from the facility’s previous fire suppression system as the only site-specific source.
Source: Perdue AgriBusiness
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