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Drinking water rated safe for consumption

  • Published
  • By 11th Wing Public Affairs
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  Bolling's drinking water, and that of Washington, has been tested and deemed safe for consumption, meeting all Environmental Protection Agency standards, according to 579th Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight officials.

The annual drinking water quality report for 2007 was recently completed and can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.bolling.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080630-084.pdf or http://dcwasa.com. Additionally, people may pick up a copy at the Bolling Base Exchange, the clinic and the bioenvironmental engineering flight located in Bldg. 3.

"The report lets us know that Bolling is meeting all EPA standards," said Capt. Edgar G. Cadua, bioenvironmental engineering flight commander. "Also, it helps us reassure the community that the water is safe."

Under the "Consumer Confidence Reporting Rule" of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA requires community water systems to report their water quality information annually to the consuming public. This report presents information on the water source, its constituents and any health risks associated with any contaminants.

Bolling's drinking water originates from the Potomac River and is delivered to the base by the District of Columbia Washington and Sewer Authority (WASA). Base bioenvironmental engineering personnel monitor the water to ensure it meets EPA safety guidelines. Captain Cadua said a minimum of 10 samples a month are taken but can range up to 78 depending on what contaminants are being tested.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draws approximately 180 million gallons of water each day from the Potomac River at the Great Falls and Little Falls intakes. The corps treats the water at two water treatment plants, and then distributes the treated water to residences and businesses throughout the district in a network of 12,000 miles of water pipes owned and operated by WASA.

To ensure safe drinking tap water, the EPA prescribes regulations to limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791 or referring to their Website at: http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/watedrinkingwater.html.  

For more information, call the bioenvironmental engineering flight at (202) 767-7172.