COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — An Air Force study has confirmed that toxic firefighting foam chemicals used at Peterson Air Force Base leached into surrounding groundwater.
The report released Tuesday is based on dozens of soil and water tests over the last year at the base in Colorado Springs.
Base leaders have previously acknowledged dumping wastewater contaminated with foam into Colorado Springs' sewers three times a year, which likely made it easy for the chemicals to flow into the nearby Widefield Aquifer. It is a key source of water for the city of Fountain.
While the report acknowledged the releases, The Gazette reports that it downplays that as a contributor to toxic drinking water.
In May, state health officials said they have yet to find any other possible source of the contamination of the aquifer other than the foam.
