Around the former Reese Air Force Base the U.S. Air Force has found at least 42 drinking water wells to be contaminated with potentially dangerous compounds and some of those are within Lubbock city limits.
In fact, officials tell KCBD NewsChannel 11 that at a February 15 information session, the Air Force discussed the potential to pay for those water lines.
At Reese Center, the compounds were first found in the Ogallala Aquifer in November, a major drinking source for area residents.
According to the Air Force, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were at or above the EPA’s lifetime health advisory of 70 parts per trillion for drinking water in private wells in the area of Reese AFB.
"We are not drawing upon any of the ground water here around the City of Lubbock as part of our water supply," Spear said.
However, at a meeting with residents in February, officials said they will expand further and ask more residents if they can test their wells.
Our water supply is safe and we want to make sure all of our citizens have the opportunity to use the safe water here in this area."
For affected residents, including those using wells in city limits, the Air Force is providing bottled water.
Spear tells KCBD NewsChannel 11 the manmade contaminates are found in at a very small level.
"It’s moving through the gravel and sands.