[CPEO-MEF] Kirtland Jet-Fuel Spill

[marianne.thaeler@sfsierra.sierraclub.org]

Albuquerque Journal
Tuesday, August 8, 2000
"Kirtland Jet-Fuel Spill 'Significant'Leak's Duration, Extent Unknown"

According to this article: Military jet fuel has been spilling into the
ground from faulty pipes, apparently for years, and investigators are
trying to find out how much damage has been done. Holes in pipes were
discovered last November during an integrity test. Some of the fuel found
in the soils is of a type that hasn't been used since 1991. Pipes had not
undergone integrity tests for at least a decade, according to Kirtland
spokesman.
Air Force rules require the pipes be tested every five years, but the base
received permission from higher command to forgo testing for at least the
last 10 years, according to spokesman. Investigators bored down 200 feet
and found soil soaked with fuel. Water is at 450 feet below surface. More
test wells are being drilled. Air Force inventories of fuel passing through
the pipe date back to 1996. They are off a net 157,000 gallons, which may
be due to human error, faulty gauge or changes in temperature.
 


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