NM wants jet fuel spill cleaned up at Kirtland

[unhappycamper]

NM wants jet fuel spill cleaned up at Kirtland
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Aug 24, 2008 10:44:10 EDT

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The state Environment Department has approved a plan to begin cleaning up an underground jet fuel spill at Kirtland Air Force Base.

The plan calls for the immediate installation of a soil vapor extraction system at the base’s fuel storage facility. This will allow the removal of fuel from groundwater hundreds of feet below the surface.

While fuel from the old underground fuel line has reached groundwater, base officials have said tests show the drinking water supply hasn’t been contaminated.

The Air Force and the city of Albuquerque have long known about the leaky fuel line but thought the contamination was limited to the soil in the immediate vicinity of the pipe. City officials say the contamination now is within 1.5 miles of the nearest city water well.

The base has yet to determine the extent of the plume so more monitoring wells will be installed. The department said that work will begin Monday.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_jetfuelspill_082308/%2e