The Air Force says a system that treats drinking water contaminated by toxic chemicals at a former military base will begin operating this week.
A ceremony will be held Tuesday at the Pease International Tradeport for the $12.6 million groundwater treatment system. Among those in attendance will be John Henderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy. Henderson calls the system an ``important milestone'' in protecting the drinking water supply at the business and industrial park opened on the grounds of the former Air Force base.
The Air Force has spent almost $58 million to address contamination from several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, that came from firefighting foam. The chemicals, linked to potential health problems, were found in the tradeport's drinking water.
