UPDATE FOR CAMP LESTER WATER MAIN REPAIR/BOIL WATER ADVISORY Initial water samples collected in response to the repair of a water main break on 29 Nov 14 indicated the presence of Total Coliform bacteria. This is not an emergency. Total Coliform bacteria are not harmful themselves but are used as an indicator organism. Follow-up testing for bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, was conducted. We did not find any of these bacteria. Additional flushing and sampling of the water system is being performed. While the EPA does not require you to boil your water due to Total Coliform, as a precaution we recommend that you do. This precaution applies only to direct consumption of the water. The water can still be used for bathing, washing hands, dishes, clothing, etc. *************************************************************************** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER Camp Lester Bldgs: 6230, 6228, 6229, 6227, 6182, 6181, 6180, 6178, 6179, 6166, 6177, 6165, 6176, 6164, 6163, 6175, 6173, 6174, 6162, 6161, 6160, 6231, 6232, 6233, 6234, 6235, 6195, 6196, 6194, 6187, 6192, 6193, 6191, 6190, 6189, 6188, 6186, 6185, 6183, 6184, 6172, 6171, 6170, 6169, 6168, 6167, 6168, 6159, 6197, 6236, 6220, 6221, 6222, 6223, 6224, 6225, 6226 Recent water sample results indicated the presence of Total Coliform bacteria in the drinking water. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation. On 29 Nov 14, Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE) took three samples at service connections near the area of a repaired water main line. Two of these samples indicated the presence of Total Coliform bacteria. Additional flushing of the system and sampling was conducted. What should I do? • While the EPA does not require you to boil your water, as a precaution we recommend that you do. Nonetheless, if you have specific health concerns consult your doctor. • If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. What does this mean? This is not an emergency. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. *Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other; potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present.* Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). Because this was identified during follow-up sampling immediately after system repairs, this is expected to be a localized incident. Whenever BE detects coliform bacteria in any sample, BE conducts follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified you immediately. However, we are still finding coliforms in the drinking water. What is being done? Civil Engineering (CE) has performed additional flushing of the water system. BE conducted additional water samples in the area of concern. We will inform you when sampling shows no coliform bacteria are present (requiring two consecutive negative results). We anticipate resolving the concern within 3 days. For more information, please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 634-4752. *Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.* This notice is being sent to you by the Kadena AB Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight. Date distributed: 30 November 2014
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 01:40:02 +0000