Supply wells were contaminated by multiple sources: leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, and waste disposal sites. ATSDR modeled the contamination and estimated that at least one VOC exceeded its current EPA maximum contaminant level in drinking water during August 1953 and January 1985.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water.

Although hazardous chemicals contaminated the water in Camp Lejeune from 1953 through 1987and are linked to devastating health conditions such as cancer, miscarriages, and other life-threatening trauma, today, the water at the base is considered safe to drink, bathe in, and use for other purposes.

The Navy removed and disposed of contaminated soils, drums, above ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, batteries, waste liquids and dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) from areas across the site. At several sites, the Navy conducted additional activities to address associated groundwater contamination.

According to a 2014 study, dangerous chemicals contaminated Camp Lejeune drinking water from 1953 to 1985. Risk of exposure continued until 1987. The chemicals came from a leaking fuel depot and an off-site dry-cleaning facility.

Camp Lejeune owns all the real estate, operates entry level and career level formal schools, and provides support and training for tenant commands. Camp Lejeune with its various satellite camps, housing, training areas and New River Air Station is the largest concentration of marines and sailors in the world.

Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts could be well over $1 million to as low as $25,000. Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement payouts for contaminated water exposure is estimated to be over $6.7 billion.

Is the Government to Blame for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination? Yes. The federal government, the United States military, and a privately owned dry cleaner contaminated the groundwater near Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point with dangerous chemicals.

Near the end of 1942, the base was named Marine Barracks Camp Lejeune in honor of the 13th Commandant and Commanding General of the 2nd Army Division in World War I, Major General John A. Lejeune. Camp Lejeune's value to the Corps in World War II was evident through the contributions of Marines trained or based here.

Camp Lejeune owns all the real estate, operates entry level and career level formal schools, and provides support and training for tenant commands. Camp Lejeune with its various satellite camps, housing, training areas and New River Air Station is the largest concentration of marines and sailors in the world.

From 1953 to 1987, at least one million enlisted servicemen and women, their families, and civilian staff were poisoned by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina.

2009: The Wife of a Former Marine Files the First Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit. Laura Jones, the wife of a former Marine, became the first person to file a lawsuit against the United States government over the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.