08/22/2025
Raiders,
We recently received a notice of violation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on our public water system. The notice was issued because we missed a deadline to install a corrosion control treatment system by a regulatory deadline. As part of the violation, we are required to provide a notice to the base (see attached). The attached notice contains mandatory language required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and TCEQ. We are not authorized to change any of the wording, even if local risk is low or active mitigation is occurring. These notices are standardized across all systems to ensure transparency and public awareness.
https://www.goodfellow.af.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4282614/goodfellow-afb-addresses-notice-of-violation-takes-a-comprehensive-approach-to/
In addition to the notice, I want to provide you some additional context. In 2020, routine drinking water sampling on base identified lead concentrations above the EPA's Action Level of 0.015 mg/L at three locations. These results occurred primarily in underused or vacant buildings during COVID closures. The source water for the base is the City of San Angelo which remained fully compliant. However, aging on-base infrastructure, including galvanized metal pipes and lead solder in the plumbing, can contribute to localized lead releases. These results triggered a compliance requirement that compelled Goodfellow AFB to implement corrosion control treatment. A corrosion control demonstration study was completed in December 2022 and approved by TCEQ in May 2023, with a treatment installation deadline of May 17, 2025. When we missed this deadline, it triggered a violation with TCEQ.
Since 2020 the base has taken a proactive approach including increased water quality monitoring, engagement with TCEQ to evaluate various compliance strategies, and funding projects to upgrade our water distribution lines. In fact, we recently received $4.4 million to upgrade the remainder of our water distribution system.
While most of our water system continues to perform well, we are taking a strong approach to ensure the safety of our base populace. This includes conducting additional testing, investigating building specific infrastructure, accelerated infrastructure replacement planning, coordination with health officials and regulators, and enhanced monitoring protocols.
We understand the public notice can be confusing and because of this we are holding a question-and-answer session this Monday, 25 August at 5 pm at the Event Center for anyone who would like additional information or to just wants to talk with leadership about the notice of violation.
Thank you for your continued support. The Chief and I are proud to serve alongside you here at Goodfellow Air Force Base.
v/r,
Raider01
MATTHEW A. NORTON, Colonel, USAF
Commander
17th Training Wing
Goodfellow AFB
Comm 325-654-1701 / DSN 477-1701
Cell 210-621-8258
NIPR email: [email protected]
Toujours Au Danger … Ever Into Danger
Goodfellow Air Force Base issued this notice because they missed a TCEQ deadline to install a corrosion control treatment system, stemming from elevated lead levels found in 2020 in underused
