NEWS RELEASE
2003-28 Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR), Cape Cod, Mass. — Officials from the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) have announced the results of this year’s residential well sampling program for homes near groundwater plumes emanating from the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). All samples met state and federal safe drinking water standards. Residential samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or ethylene dibromide (EDB). VOCs (such as fuels and solvents) and EDB (a fuel additive that is no longer used) are known contaminants in plumes related to MMR. Forty (40) residents participated in this year’s program, which is conducted on an annual basis. Four homes are sampled on a semi-annual basis. Samples for this year’s event were collected from July through early August 2003. Mr. Jonathan S. Davis, Remediation Program Manager for AFCEE, stated, “The Air Force’s first commitment has always been the protection of public health. The residential sampling program is a major part of that commitment.” The sampling and testing is free of charge and is being offered as an extra measure of precaution and comfort to residents surrounding the MMR who may have concerns about the groundwater plumes. Background: Over 250 residents were in the program in 2001; but only 53 were in 2002 program. The reason is that many of those residents in 2001 are now tied into either Bourne or Falmouth municipal water supplies at Air Force expense. From 1986 through 2003, the Air Force has connected over 1,100 residents to municipal water supplies. The criteria for residents to become part of the AFCEE residential well sampling program are: [1] Have a private well as the sole source of drinking water; [2] be within 500 feet of a known plume boundary and/or [3] be within 2 years travel time downgradient of a plume (that is, the plume would be under your home within 2 years, based on 1.5 feet per day average flow rate). For more information about the residential sampling program and connections to municipal water supplies, please contact Mr. Doug Karson, at (508) 968-4678 ext. 2. An unedited copy of the actuality is available at http://www.mmr.org/Actualities/NR2003-28_Actuality.rm.
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