In the 1940s, the initial signs of contamination in the water supply at Camp Lejeune were detected, leading the Navy to declare the water non-potable and close down those particular wells. However, instead of taking measures to ensure the absence of harmful chemical runoff, new wells were established nearby.

During the 1980s, the United States Marine Corp initiated an inquiry into possible contamination concerns. They were officially informed that numerous wells at the base were tainted and unfit for human consumption. Despite this warning, the USMC did not take any action to safeguard its personnel and employees. What’s more, in 1983, the USMC submitted a report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claiming that Camp Lejeune had no contamination problem, despite evidence to the contrary.

In 1984, a subsequent investigation revealed that the water wells at Camp Lejeune not only had alarmingly high levels of TCE and PCE but also contained benzene.

These contaminated wells were subsequently closed, and the state of North Carolina was informed about the TCE and PCE contamination, but the presence of benzene in the water supply was not disclosed. Furthermore, the USMC withheld this information in a federal health report in 1992.

By 2005, both the Justice Department and the EPA had initiated a comprehensive investigation into the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Since then, over 70 different chemical contaminants have been identified in the water supply at the base.