2013 Columbus AFB Drinking Water Quality Report Published June 5, 2014 By Bioenvironmental 14th Medical Operations Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Spanish (Espanol) Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre la calidad de su agua potable. Por favor lea este informe o comuniquese con alguien que pueda traducir la informacion. Is my water safe? We are pleased to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year's water quality. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. Do I need to take special precautions? Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). Where does my water come from? The base water supply is treated and distributed by Columbus Light and Water Company (CL&W). The water is drawn from eight wells supplied by the Coker Aquifer, a groundwater source, and is stored in various places on base, e.g. water towers. No further treatment is done by base personnel. Source water assessment and its availability The source water assessment has been completed for our public water system to determine the overall susceptibility of its drinking water supply to identify potential sources of contamination. This source water assessment can be found in the Columbus Light and Water July 2011 newsletter. Why are there contaminants in my drinking water? Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Contact Information If you have any questions, please contact Columbus Light and Water at: 662-251-4512, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, and ask for Steve Barksdale. If you want to learn more, please attend any of Columbus Light and Water's regularly scheduled meetings. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 12:30 PM at 420 Fourth Avenue South (CL&W Main Office). Answers to questions about Columbus AFB water can also be directed to Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE) at 434-2285. Additional Information for Lead If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Columbus Air Force Base is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Fluoridation To comply with the "Regulation Governing Fluoridation of the Community Water Supplies", the Columbus LIGHT & WATER is required to report certain results pertaining to the fluoridation of the water system. The number of months in the previous calendar year that average fluoride sample results were within the optimal range of 0.7-1.3 ppm was 12. The percentage of fluoride sample collected in the previous calendar year that was within the optimal range of 0.7-1.3 ppm was 100%.