Consumer Report: Eielson's water safe to drink

  • Published
  • By Compiled from staff reports
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Results from the 2008 Annual Consumer Report on Eielson's drinking water quality were completed last month and have since been released to base populace through the proper mediums.

Maj. Gabriel Moreno-Fergusson, 354th Medical Operations Squadron chief of bioenvironmental engineering said, "Eielson's water has been rated as the best drinking quality water system in Alaska for many years, this is all due to the effort of the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight."

The analysis of Eielson's drinking water revealed that Eielson's water supply is within national standards.

"Eielson's tap water is well within federally mandated standards according to a recent report completed last month," said Kathleen Lelevier, 354th MDOS bioenvironmental engineering water program manager. "Base housing residents received a copy of the water report May 16, 2008. Off-base residents will receive copies via e-mail at their work places."

The report, Mrs. Lelevier said, was written in accordance with the "Consumer Confidence Reporting Rule" of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and found water at Eielson to be well within the standards mandated by federal law.

The SDWA requires community water systems to annually file a report on their source of water, the contaminant sampling frequency and the results for each contaminant found above the laboratory detection limit.

Eielson uses well water from the Tanana Valley Alluvial Aquifer, she said. The base water treatment plant pumps ground water via water wells, then treats, disinfects and prepares the water for distribution.

Once the water passes out of the water treatment facility, bioenvironmental engineering samples the water, accomplishing all the health-based testing mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. This includes screening for more than 130 different contaminants at varying frequencies. The most common samples are for bacteria, chlorine and fluoride.

"If bacteria or other contaminants ever exceeded acceptable levels, the public would be notified immediately," Mrs. Lelevier said. 

The report can be found online at www.eielson.af.mil/library/newcomers.asp under the information tablet.

Consumers who have questions about this report or concerns over their drinking water may contact Public Affairs at 377-2116.