Navy SEALs Training Impacted by Contaminated Water

Sewage contaminates the water, Navy SEALs continue to train, and life moves on. It’s a gross reality in the military; however, new evidence from a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) report is showing the unknown—how these conditions are affecting the health of warfighters exposed to such bacteria. Fecal matter in the water of training sites is often at unsafe levels, causing serious health risks. Now, there is a call for change.

Contaminated Water Impact on Navy SEAL Trainee Health

Despite many experts and warfighters having concerns about the levels of fecal matter in water used for military training, not a lot was done.

Besides being a gross situation, it’s obviously an issue that can leave those who undergo training exposed to serious health risks, but now, thanks to a report based on the Inspector General’s study, something’s actually being done about it.

Over 1,100 cases involving health issues within the Navy SEALs were reported after training in water dealing with pollution.

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As a result, those affected ended up with acute gastrointestinal illnesses (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.) in situations that may have been able to have been avoided.

“It just validates a lot of our concerns that everybody knows of all the time swimming here. Most of the illnesses are going to be self-limiting and they’ll get better, but not all of them, and you can’t predict which ones will go on to cause hospitalization or chronic health problems,” said Dr. Tom Csanadi.

Contamination Reports on Navy SEAL Training Sites

Based on the recent DoD report, Navy SEAL candidates at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado trained with fecal matter in the waters.

Things were so bad for those exposed, that even though local beaches would close due to elevated bacteria levels, warfighters were still training in contaminated waters.

Enterococcus bacteria is known as an indicator of fecal contamination, and between February and September 2024, samples showed levels exceeding state limits 76% of the time in the north and 75% of the time in the south training areas of the base.

Furthermore, the Navy knew about this and did virtually nothing to help troops avoid these risks, only relocating 5% of its training events.

One clear example of neglect was during Hell Week in September 2023, where three water training exercises continued despite beach closure advisories, exposing warfighters to contaminated water, and raising serious health concerns.

The methods of the military are being called into question, as the Naval Special Warfare Command doesn’t conduct its own water testing, instead relying on reports from San Diego County.

Changes and Obstacles

Knowing about something and doing something about it are two different things, which is evident when looking at this entire situation.

However, now that the Navy is more aware of the risks, the report is also urging for different practices to be put into place in an effort to help those training.

For example, the Command is now being told to develop its own policy for monitoring water contamination levels. When bacteria levels are at unacceptable levels, the Navy will need to move its training, reschedule, or cancel them altogether.

This is a significant change that Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command will have to contend with. This a sentiment leadership is all too aware of, despite looking for ways to make training healthier for those involved.

Furthermore, the NSW is going to need to create a system for notifying officials within command on the quality of the water and changes to training as a result.

The Navy is agreeing to make these changes, but continues to emphasize significant obstacles remain. Still, NSW Command is aiming to have both recommendations in place before 2026.

NSW Command Efforts in Monitoring Water Contamination

We can’t go back in time to make things right but moving forward with better policies and procedures will help warfighters avoid unnecessary risks while staying better prepared.

The NSW Command has multiple options for training location, the resources to monitor water levels, and can lean on the expertise of San Diego County’s Beach and Bay Water Quality Program.

The NSW Center is an important part of ensuring our nation is ready to defend itself.

While its commitment to helping create a healthier environment when the levels of fecal matter in the water are too high is coming much later than many would have hoped, it’s encouraging to see a change nevertheless.