Working together at water treatment plant

  • Published
  • By Maj. Scott Boyd
  • 354th Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Air Force Base is unique in many respects, including the ability to organically provide heat, electricity, water and sewage treatment to base facilities.

The water treatment plant produces approximately 600,000 gallons of water each day to meet Eielson's needs.

The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron works closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the 354th Medical Group to ensure compliance with drinking water standards. Recently, Eielson received a request from the EPA to initiate testing for perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, in the base drinking water.

"PFCs are currently considered an emerging contaminant and are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act," said Maj. Scott Boyd, the 354th Medical Operations Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight commander.

Though no drinking water rules govern PFC levels currently, the EPA has set provisional health advisory levels for some PFC concentrations. The EPA describes these values as being a concentration above which they recommend action should be taken to reduce exposure to these emerging contaminants in drinking water.

Though there was no requirement to test for these PFCs at Eielson, base officials consulted with the EPA and ADEC and determined it was prudent to sample base drinking water.

Sampling results indicated the presence of a PFC in excess of PHA levels in three of Eielson's six distribution system drinking water wells and below PHA levels in the other three wells. CES leadership immediately took the wells with PFC concentrations exceeding PHA levels out of service.

"By using wells which are below the PFC PHA threshold, no additional action to modify Eielson's drinking water is required at our treatment plant or at your faucet. CES will continue to provide potable water for Eielson," said Boyd.

In the meantime, the base will evaluate appropriate treatment options to be considered for use at those other wells.

PFCs have been used for decades in many commercial products such as stainresistant carpeting, firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, fabric coatings and some food packaging. The EPA continues to develop the science on any health effects on humans and evaluate whether these contaminants should be regulated in drinking water.

"The safety and well-being of each one of our Iceman Team members has always been our top priority. Without ensuring the safety of our team, we could not effectively complete the mission," said Col. Michael Winkler, the 354th Fighter Wing commander. "Our team includes our dedicated family members who live and work on the base just as we do."

"We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure on-base drinking water continues to meet applicable federal and state standards. We will notify base personnel of any changes," Winkler said. For questions or concerns, please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 377- 6687.