NM Air Force Base criticized for efforts to map groundwater contamination plume

Kirkland Air Force Base

Kirkland Air Force Base

New Mexico’s Department of Environmental Quality is critical of Kirtland Air Force Base’s efforts to determine the extent of jet fuel groundwater contamination according to a letter issued in April. The letter says the base has not drilled enough wells to determine the extent of the plume and the possible risks to Albuquerque’s municipal water supply.

So far, every test well drilled in search of the edge of the fuel plume has found evidence of contamination. As a result, the Air Force on April 2 proposed drilling three new test wells beyond the area of known contamination, including one close to the water utility’s nearest water supply well.

[Source: ABQJournal Online via @cbdawson. Image: teamredtruck]