EPA proposes $31M cleanup for Wash. lake

Moses Lake, Wash. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a $31 million comprehensive cleanup plan for Moses Lake in Washington state.

The Moses Lake Wellfield Contamination Superfund site is located just north of Moses Lake and includes the Grant County Airport, the former Larson Air Force Base and areas south of the airport, agency said Monday in a release.

The EPA said about 1,000 acres of groundwater were contaminated with trichloroethylene and other hazardous substances by operations of the former base and industrial activities associated with the aircraft industry.

Trichloroethylene is an industrial solvent that was commonly used at the site for stripping paint from airplanes, washing airplane parts and cleaning missile components.

In 1988, the solvent was found in three City of Moses Lake drinking water supply wells on the base and Skyline Water System wells located south of the base.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.