SDWA releases Eielson base water report Published June 11, 2007 By Compiled from staff reports 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- One of the first things Icemen comment on when arriving at Eielson is the taste of the base water. What usually follows is the question "Is this water safe to drink?" "Eielson's tap water is well within federally-mandated standards according to a recent report completed last month," said Kathleen Lelevier, 354th Medical Operation Squadron bioenvironmental engineering water program manager. "Base-housing residents received a copy of the water report June 1. 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. Consumers who have questions about this report or concerns over their drinking water may contact Public Affairs at 377-2116.