Eyes on the Environment
We currently have several projects going on that involve testing of the drinking water on base for different reasons.
Most recently we have been monitoring the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) testing results and next month we will begin the Lead In Priority Area (LIPA) testing at our child care areas.
The LIPA program runs every five years. More information will come out shortly on the LIPA program for the parents who utilize the on base child care and after school care programs.
These two programs have separate requirements. The LCR is a regulatory requirement and the LIPA is a Navy policy requirement.
Here is a recap on where we are with the LCR testing:
In August 2018, results from testing for lead in drinking water outlets at facilities on base came in showing three out of 20 samples exceeded the EPA action level for total lead in buildings 1721, 1722, and 1730.
Building 1730 – Vacant PSD building
Building 1730 is on the bases demolition list and was vacant prior to the sampling event. As such, water service to Building 1730 has been shut off and the building is secured.
Buildings 1721 (Nursing room sink) and Building 1722 (Men’s restroom sink)
Signs saying the water was non-potable were placed in buildings 1721 and 1722 on Sept. 14, 2018.
As of Nov. 16, 2018, faucet and sink components at the sampling locations in buildings 1721 and 1722 were replaced. Following the replacement, a second set of lead samples were taken on February 15, 2019 at the refurbished sinks in buildings 1721 and 1722.
Building 1721 had total lead below the EPA lead action level. The non-potable signs were removed from Building 1721.
Building 1722 had total lead above the EPA lead action level and the non-potable signs are still posted. A combination of likely causes at Building 1722 is older pipe infrastructure and vacant or seldom used facilities.
Public Works is flushing the water lines in the areas of low water consumption to improve water quality. Both buildings will be resampled between May and June 2019 and the results will be forwarded to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
With concurrence from TCEQ and total lead below the EPA action level, the Lead Consumer Notice Form 20680a will then be removed.
Looking at the Source
To further evaluate the system, source water and distribution point samples were taken in February 2019. The source water did not exceed the EPA lead action level and no further treatment or action was recommended to the source water.
The water quality sampling results within the distribution are being reviewed by Public Works to see what further improvements can be made to the system. All sampling results have been forwarded to TCEQ per the Lead and Copper Drinking Rule.
Important information anyone can use at home and at work.
To further reduce lead levels in drinking water it is recommended to run faucet water before drinking or using for cooking so the water has limited contact with the faucet interior.
Faucets are often a contributing source of lead in drinking water. Home maintenance can also be performed by cleaning or changing out the aerator on your faucet. Use only cold water for food and beverage preparation.
Hot water will dissolve lead more quickly than cold water and is likely to contain increased lead levels. If hot water is needed, it should be taken from the cold water faucet and heated on a stove or in a microwave.
If you would like to learn more about lead in drinking water, please visit the following websites:
Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www2.epa.gov/lead or https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/environmental-programs/Pages/Lead-in-Drinking-Water.aspx
Municipalities are also required to provide consumers the annual Consumer Confidence Report.
The base report can be found at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/content/dam/cnic/cnrse/pdfs/CNRSE/CNRSE%20CCRs%202013-... .