近距离内射合集

The Department of the Air Force has reached an important milestone in its decades-long effort to clean up a historic jet fuel leak, announcing that as of late 2025, key contaminants have been remediated to below regulatory standards in the identified groundwater area for the first time since treatment began. This success marks a pivotal moment in protecting Albuquerque's drinking water supply.

The fuel leak impact to groundwater was extensive. For decades, the aircraft refueling infrastructure, a vital component of the base's operations, caused small fuel releases with each transfer. This slow, cumulative leak continued until it was finally discovered in November 1999. By then, a significant amount of fuel had migrated to the water table and then diffused with groundwater beyond the base boundary. The Air Force began remediation in 2003, first targeting vapor, the fuel itself, then the impacted soils. 

The primary concern for the local community was the potential impact on drinking water supply wells in the area. As the fuel dissolved into the groundwater, contaminants began to spread. The most mobile and concerning of these was ethylene dibromide (EDB), a compound that migrated far from the original leak site. 

 The Air Force began groundwater remediation in 2003 by removing contaminated groundwater and treating it for contaminants before returning it underground. The water is treated at a state-of-the-art facility, where contaminants are removed before the water is safely discharged. This system has treated 2.5 billion gallons of groundwater since it began operation. A network of four extraction wells acts as a hydraulic barrier, continuously pumping contaminated water to the surface before it can move toward drinking water wells. 

Progress was made between 2015 and 2019. In agreement with state regulators, the cleanup has been a massive undertaking. To date, crews have excavated and removed 3,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the source of the leak. A soil vapor extraction system has successfully removed the equivalent of 750,000 gallons of fuel from the subsurface.

The effectiveness of this strategy was confirmed in the fourth quarter of 2025 groundwater monitoring event. For the first time since the treatment system was installed in 2015, sampling data showed that EDB levels across the cleanup area were entirely below the stringent cleanup standards, which are the same standards as the Safe Drinking Water Act. This success is a direct result of the continuous operation of the treatment system and the dedicated monitoring program.

The Air Force continues to meet its obligations to the city and in particular to neighbors of the base. It has a state-approved risk assessment demonstrating the current system eliminates risk to the city drinking water wells.

Currently, the project is at a critical juncture. The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 requires submission and approval of a facility investigation report to complete remediation. RCRA is the principal environmental regulation law of the U.S. and the basis for action of much of the Environmental Protection Agency. On April 28, 2025, the Air Force submitted a comprehensive Phase II RCRA RFI report to the New Mexico Environment Department. This document certifies that the full extent of the soil, vapor and groundwater contamination has been thoroughly studied and characterized. The Air Force now awaits NMED's review and approval of this report, which is the final prerequisite to advance to the "corrective measure" phases 鈥� the selection, design and implementation of the site's final remedy, which would complete the remediation.  

While awaiting regulatory approval, the Air Force鈥檚 commitment to protecting the public has not wavered. Project teams continuously operate the groundwater treatment system, as well as monitor a network of 173 groundwater wells and 323 soil vapor probes to ensure the drinking water supply remains completely safe.

Remediation has reached the point that safe environmental standards have been reached for the area underneath residential housing north of the Air Force base.  Soil, vapor and groundwater remediation have been performed, and groundwater treatment has eliminated the risk to drinking water. As of the fourth quarter 2025, all EDB above clean-up standards has been removed from the remediation area. 

The Air Force has provided more than $100 million and spent more than 20 years on this remediation to meet its obligations to the city and in particular to neighbors of the base, and these citizens are now safe from the negative health effects of the fuel leak.  Effort is not complete and continues, but what remains is primarily remediation on the Air Force base.  

The Air Force continues to reaffirm its commitment to transparency and public involvement. The upcoming final cleanup public review process, in addition to the routinely held semiannual public meetings and annual open houses events, will include opportunities for community input. Community involvement is a critical aspect as final remedial strategies are selected to fully address the remaining contamination at the site.

To share progress with the community and solicit input for the final phase, the Air Force will host an open house at the groundwater treatment facility on the base in July. This event will offer the public a firsthand look at the sophisticated systems that have made this progress possible and provide an opportunity for the community to engage with the environmental experts leading the project. KAFB Public Affairs Office will be publishing event details as they are finalized. Those interested in attending should contact 377ABW.PA@us.af.mil to receive event details. 

Jim Tegnalia is a retired Albuquerque-based national security professional and current member of the 近距离内射合集鈥檚 Community Council, where he aims to help the public better understand the city鈥檚 national security activities.