Could harmful levels of lead associated with paint scrapings from the water tower have migrated off site ?
No. Three base water towers constructed in 1943 were maintained with lead-based paint. During repainting procedures, the exteriors of the towers were sandblasted to remove the paint layers. Some of the paint scrapings fell onto the ground around the towers. It is possible that some of the scrapings became airborne and traveled from the towers during sandblasting activities or enters the SWDD with stormwater runoff over the nearby pavement. Soil sampling done in 1999 confirmed that lead was present in the surface soil around the tanks. The sampling also showed, however, that the scrapings were relatively confined within 80 feet of any one tank, and could not have reached residential housing areas. The Navy dismantled the water towers and removed the lead-contaminated soil from the site in September 2000 and subsequently backfilled and seeded the area. Concern: Are there any potential health threats posed by the contaminated groundwater? No. Chemical spills and releases associated with f
