Water at former Air Force base contaminated

[unhappycamper]

Water at former Air Force base contaminated
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday May 27, 2008 7:21:35 EDT

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Environmental tests over the past three years show high levels of contamination remain in groundwater at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

The findings reported Sunday by The Sun News of Myrtle Beach come more than 15 years after the military left the site. Environmental reports indicate it could take another two decades for officials to bring contamination under control.

The chemicals in groundwater are at levels far above what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for drinking water.

Regulators require the military to reduce pollution on the site so that the groundwater is safe for drinking, even though the water hasn’t been used for consumption since 1999. The military has spent more than $53 million on cleanup efforts since the base closed in March 1993 and expects to spend $10 million more before the job is finished.

Tests show the contamination is largely contained, and government agencies say the toxicity likely does not pose a threat to people who live in the area.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_myrtlebeach_airforce_052608/