Tustin : Water Quality Officials Checking Pool of Jet Fuel
The Marine Corps and water quality officials are investigating the discovery last week of about 100 gallons of jet fuel floating above sub-surface water at the Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station.
Kurt Berchtold, a spokesman for the state Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region, said the agency was notified of the discovery on Monday after a private contractor had been installing meters on underground pipelines connecting the fuel tanks.
“I believe they attempted to pump out that fuel, but it did recharge into the hole, indicating more fuel is contained in the hole,” Berchtold said.
The actual source of the fuel has not been determined, said Berchtold and a Marine Corps spokeswoman.
Two large, 500,000-gallon fuel tanks sit above the area, but those were pressure tested, and the Marine Corps found no leakage, Marine Capt. Joanne Schilling said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
