The former Schilling Air Force Base is now the Salina Airport Industrial Area (Photo via https://cloud1.arc.nasa.gov/success/salina.html)
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Workers will begin taking samples next week from underneath 11 buildings in and around the former Schilling Air Force Base in Salina. On Friday, a technician drilled the first hole to be used in the testing in a demonstration for the media. A device will be installed in the holes to collect soil gases to determine the level of pollution. Dragun Corporation of Farmington Hills, Michigan was hired to investigate the contamination, which is threatening Salina's water supply. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is supervising the work. The Salina Journal reports that plumes of pollution, primarily the solvent TCE, have been found in the soil and in groundwater that is moving toward city water wells. TCE was used to wash aircraft and weapons at the base.