CAFB releases Consumer Confidence Report Published June 18, 2007 By Bioenvironmental Engineering Office 14th Medical Operations Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Columbus AFB routinely monitors its drinking water for contaminants. The water remains safe to drink. Water is analyzed in all stages of production; from the Coker Aquifer, treatment plants and distribution systems to customer's homes to ensure it is of the highest quality. In accordance with the Consumer Confidence Reporting Rule of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Columbus AFB is required to report the water quality information to its consuming public. The following is a snapshot of the quality of water that was provided from calendar year 2006. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. Where does our water come from? The base water supply is treated and distributed by Columbus Light and Water Company. The water is drawn from eight wells supplied by the Coker Aquifer, a groundwater source, and is stored in various places on base, including water towers. No further treatment is done by base personnel. The following information is a required special message from the EPA: Contamination may occur as water travels over the surface of land or through the ground, dissolving naturally occurring minerals and, sometimes, radioactive material. It can also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Potential contaminants in source water include: (1) Microbial contaminants: such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. (2) Inorganic contaminants: such as salts and metals that may occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. (3) Pesticides and herbicides: might have a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. (4) Organic chemical contaminants: such as synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. (5) Radioactive contaminants: which can occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities. Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the Bioenvironmental Engineering Office at 434-2284 or the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. Some individuals may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immuno-compromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; those who have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders can be particularly at risk from infections. These individuals should seek advice about drinking water from their physician or health care provider. Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.