Additional test data has alleviated concern about contamination of two public drinking water wells near where fire-fighting foam residue from Eielson Air Force Base was dumped.
Earlier sampling indicated the presence of ethylene glycol in samples from the wells: one near Harding Lake, and the other in Salcha, both in the vicinity of where the residue was dumped at two gravel pits. There was also concern that PFAS might have been in the dumped residue, after some was found in un-dumped containers of the liquid. But Sarah Moore with the State Department of Environmental Conservation says a second round of well sample tests came back clean.
Dumping Clean: Q:”…also non-detect.”
Moore says that means it’s safe to drink water from the two wells. Meanwhile, she says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state are moving toward testing wells on area private properties.
Dumping Private: Q:”…those private wells.”
Moore says investigation of the case continues, and that although the residue solution was dumped at gravel pits owned by local aera contractor: Rolling Stone, it’s not clear who improperly disposed of the liquid.
Dumping RS: Q:”…it was discharged.”
Moore says as the generator of the waste, the Air Force is the primary responsible party, and lists the Army Corps of Engineers, the three base contractors, plus gravel pit owner Rolling Stone, Inc. as potentially responsible parties. She provided no timeline for completion of the investigation.