US Army: 2006CCR

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Fort Lewis 2006 ANNUAL WATER REPORT

May 2007

♦ 2006 Water Quality Results

♦ Important Definitions

♦ Frequently Asked Questions

♦ Water Conservation

Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for Fort Lewis

T he Fort Lewis Public Works closely monitors youdrinking water by collecting samples in accordance withfederal and state regulatory requirements. Thessamples are analyzed by a state certified laborator

and distributed to EPA and Washington Department of HealthSampling requirements and frequency vary by contaminant asummarized in the Regulatory Monitoring Schedule on page 3.

Sequalitchew Springs Water Treatment Plant has stripping towerto remove carbon dioxide (CO2), a naturally occurring gas igroundwater, to raise the pH on the water (on average from 6.7 to

7.4). This helps prevent pipe corrosion. The water plant also addchlorine, fluoride, and polyphosphate to the water prior to enterinthe distribution system. Chlorine is a disinfectant that kills anbacteria that might be present. Fluoride helps to prevent tootdecay, and polyphosphate helps balance the pH of the water treduce potential pipe corrosion and leaching of metals (lead ancopper).

Public Works also operates a Cross Connection and BackflowPrevention Program which is designed to prevent contaminantfrom entering drinking water via cross-connections between thpublic water system and non-potable water system. Backflowassemblies are inspected annually to ensure they are workinproperly. Fort Lewis also operates a wellhead protection programwhich reviews all proposed activities within the established

wellhead protection areas to ensure they do not pose a threat toour source waters.

These are just a few of the measures taken to ensure our water isafe to drink. The Fort Lewis water system has never beerequired to shut down due to contamination.

Drinking Water Sources

Fort Lewis operates four public water systems, all of which relyentirely on groundwater. Groundwater is an excellent source of drinking water because of the natural filtration process thattakes place.

The main cantonment system (Public Water SystemIdentification Number, PWSID: 26050), supplies water to over 45,000 people in the cantonment area on Fort Lewis. Theprimary source is Sequalitchew Springs. Seven (7) other drinking water wells around the post are available for useduring peak demand periods or for emergency operation. Fort

Lewis produced 1.54 billion gallons of clean water last year.

The other three small water systems are the Golf Course(PWSID: 462312), the Ammo Supply Point (PWSID: 46241A),and the Range 17 (PWSID: AB008D). Each is served with by asingle well with the exception of the Ammo Supply Point, whichhas two water wells.

Inside this issue… . ♦ 2006 Annual Water Report

♦ Drinking Water Sources

♦ Ensuring Safe Drinking Water

♦ Sources of Contaminants

♦ Microbial Testing

♦ Chlorine Residual and DisinfectionByproducts

♦ Lead and Copper Analyses

2006 Annual Water Report

The Fort Lewis Public Works (PW) is pleased to provide youwith the 2006 Annual Water Report also referred to as aConsumer Confidence Report. This report provides a snapshotof the quality of water we provided during 2006, a descriptionof where our water comes from, a list of potential sources of contamination, and a description of how we ensure that our water is safe to drink. This publication conforms to theprovision in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), requiringwater utilities to provide this information annually. We areproud to report that our water meets all Federal and Statedrinking water standards.

Potential Sources of Contaminants

D

rinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminantThe presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contamnants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

As water travels over the land’s surface and through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals (iron, manganese, lead), and some cases radioactive material. It can also be polluted by animal waste and human activity. Contaminants that might be expected untreated water include: biological contaminants (bacteria); inorganic contaminants (salts and metals); pesticides and herbicides; organincluding volatile and synthetic chemicals (fuels, oils, and solvents); and radioactive contaminants (naturally occurring or fuel productioand mining activities).

Special Concerns

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water. Immuno-compromised persons, such as persons with cancundergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disordersome elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from thehealth care providers. EPA/Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of ifection by Crytospordium and other microbial contaminants are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

National Drinking Water Week: May 6 - 12, 2007

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Fort Lewis 2006 ANNUAL WATER REPOR

May 2007

Microbial Testing Results

All but two of Fort Lewis’s wells are more than 50 feet deep andmore than 200 feet away from any apparent surface water sources. Wells 12A and 12B, and Sequalitchew Springs haveunder gone Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA) testing todetermine whether or not they were groundwater under theinfluence of surface water (GWI). The sources were determinedto be hydraulically connected to surface water, but weredetermined not to be GWI.

Microbial pathogens such as Giardia lamblia , Cryptosporidium and fecal coliform bacteria are found predominantly in surface andstanding waters. Because the Fort Lewis Water System reliessolely on groundwater sources, this threat is greatly reduced.

Fort Lewis collects and analyzes a minimum of 50 microbiologicalsamples for coliform and fecal coliform per month (600 samplesper year). The water system has an excellent distribution coliformhistory with only three positive total coliform samples since 1997.

Chlorine Residual and Disinfection Byproducts

T he disinfection process is closely monitored for chlorineresidual, which is necessary to maintain adequate disinfectionlevels while in the distribution system. The levels must beeffective in eliminating bacteria but not too high as to cause an

undesirable taste.

The Stage 1 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproduct Rule was establishedby EPA and requires Public Water Systems to monitor for two groups of byproducts, total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and five haloacetic acids(HAA5). All samples collected in the last three years have been far belowthe EPA established limits.

Lead and Copper Distribution Monitoring

Lead and copper monitoring is conducted separately from other analysesand is an indirect measurement of the corrosivity of water relative to the

materials in the distribution system. Fort Lewis water met the initialfederal requirements for lead and copper concentrations in thedistribution system thus reducing the required sampling frequency to 30samples once every three (3) years.

The last sampling round was in 2006. The next sampling round isscheduled for 2009. No results exceeded the 90th percentile actionlevels for lead or copper. For more information regarding lead andcopper, you can contact your local Department of Health at (253) 395-6750.

Lead and Copper 90th Percentile: Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level.

Ana-lyte

MaximumAmountDetected

MaximumContaminantLevel (MCL)

MaximumContami-

nantLevelGoal

(MCLG)

Source oContaminant

Copper

90% of thehomes testedhad copper

levels less than0.4 ppm

Max Detected0.5 ppm

90% of thehomes tested

must havecopper levelsless than 1.3

ppm

0 ppm

Corrosioof

househoplumbin

Lead


had lead levelsless than 2 ppb

Max Detected2 ppb


must havelevels

less than 15ppb

0 ppb

DISINFECTIONBYPRODUCTS

2006 Results(ppb)

MCL (ppb)

Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) 5.1 80

Haloacetic acids (five) (HAA5) 1 60

For more information on the DisinfectionByproduct Rule visit:

http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/mdbp/dbp1.html

AnalyteMaximumAmountDetected

Maximum Con-taminant Level(MCL)

MaximumContaminantLevel Goal(MCLG)

Potential Source ofContaminant

Microbiological Analysis at Your Tap

Total Coliform

Bacteria

One sampletested posi-

tive for coli-form bacteria.

Coliform bacteriamay be present in

no more than 5%of monthly sam-ples (< 2).

Zero bacteria

detected.

Naturally present in thenvironment, used as

indicator that other mharmful bacteria may present.

DisinfectionResidual/ Chlo-

rine Residual

All sampleshad detect-able chlorine

residual

Not regulated at

this time.

Chlorine is used as adisinfectant in the wat

treatment process.

Fecal ColiformBacteria

No samples

tested posi-tive for fecal

coliform.

zero zero

Indicates water is con

taminated with human

animal wastes.

National Drinking Water Week

National Drinking Water Week is May 6th - 12th, 200National Drinking Water Week is the perfect time to finout more about your drinking water. A safe, reliable watsupply is critical to the mission of Fort Lewis. Please jous in providing for a sustainable future by protecting o

water resources.

Drinking Water Versus Bottled Water

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Depart-ment of Health and EPA prescribe regulations that limit theamount of certain contaminants in water provided by publicwater systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)and the Washington Department of Agriculture regulations

establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that mustprovide the same protection for public health.


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Fort Lewis 2006 ANNUAL WATER REPOR

May 2007

Important Definitions

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) : The highest levof a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MC

are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the bavailable treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG ): The levof a contaminant in drinking water below which there i

no known or expected risk to human health. MCLGsallow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) : The

highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking wateThere is convincing evidence that addition of disinfectis necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG ): The level of a drinking water disinfectant

below which there is no known or expected risk tohuman health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of tuse of disinfectants to control microbial contamination

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCL):These standards are developed to protect the aesthet

qualities of drinking water and are not health based.

Color Units (CU): Color is a measurement that

qualitatively relates the amount of dissolved materialsand suspended matter present in a water sample.

Microohms per centimeter ( μmhos/cm) : Conductivitis an index of the flow of electrical current in asubstance; it also is an indirect measurement of

dissolved solids in water.

Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) : Turbidity is ameasurement of water clarity.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): TDS is a measuremenof the amount of dissolved solids in a water sample.

Parts per million (ppm) and Parts per billion (ppb)

* Exceedence of EPA secondary (aesthetic) MCL’s on seasonal sources and poses no health related risks. Primary source (Sequaliitchew Springs) has lower primary and secondary values than listed above for worst case seasonal or emergency sources.

Analyte Max AmountDetected in

Supply

Max Con-taminant

Level (MCL)

Max Con-taminant

Level Goal(MCLG)

Potential Sourceof

Contamination

EPA Primary (before treatment)

Arsenic (ppb) 2 10 0Erosion of naturaldeposits and runoff

Nitrate (ppm) 1.8 10 10Runoff from fertil-

izer use, leachingfrom septic tanks,and natural erosion

Nitrite (ppm) ND 1 1

Trichloroethyl-

ene (TCE) (ppb) 1.8 5.0 0 Fuels and Solvents

Radium 228

(pCi/L)2.14+/- 0.54 TOTAL: 5 0 Naturally occurring

EPA Secondary (aesthetic)

Color (units) 10 15 -

Natural deposits

Iron (ppm) 1.3 * 0.3 -

Manganese

(ppm) 0.06 * 0.05 -

Chloride (ppm)ND 250 -

Sulfate (ppm)12 250 -

TDS (ppm)ND 500 -

State Regulated

Conductivity

(μmhos/cm)201 700 -

Natural GeologyTurbidity (NTU) 8.4 NTU* 1 -

After Treatment (See also disinfection byproduct monitoring results on page 2)

Chlorine (ppm) 0.04 - 1.49(distribution)

4.0 4.0 Water additive usedto control microbes

Fluoride (ppm) 0.68 - 1.50(distribution)

2.0 (WAState)

4.0 (EPA)

Optimum:0.8 to 1.3

(WA State)

Naturally occurringand water additivewhich promotes

strong teeth

Phosphate,

Ortho (ppm)

0.11 - 0.55(distribution)

- Optimum: 0.5(WA State)

Water additive used

to control pipe cor-rosion.

Detected Contaminants

None of the water quality samples collected during 2006 exceeded the primarydrinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCL) established by the EPA or Washington State Department of Health (often more stringent than the EPA).

Water QualityParameter

SampleFrequency

Last Teste

Microbiological

(Distribution and Source)

50 samples

per month

Weekly

Nitrates (Source) Annually July 2006

Inorganic (Source) Every 3 years July 2004**

Volatile Organic (Source) Every 3 years July 2006**

Synthetic Organic

(Source)

Every 3 years

or per DOH

Waiver thru

Dec. 2007**

Radionuclides (Source)

Radium 226 + 228

Every 3 years

or per DOH

July and

October 200

Asbestos (Distribution) Every 9 years July 1999

Lead & Copper

(Distribution)

Every 3 years

or per DOH

September

2006

Regulatory Monitoring Schedule

Disinfection

Byproducts (Distribution)

Annually for

each treatedsource

July 2006

Unregulated As determined

by EPA

July 2003

** Not all sources due to vary ing requirements.

This report can be viewed on the Fort Lewis website at:http://www.lewis.army.mil/waterreport/2006CCR.pdf

Your Views Welcome

T his report contains important information, and we believe it is vitalthat it is readable and understandable. If you are interested in learn-ing more about your water service and water quality on Fort Lewis,or have any suggestions on how we could improve this report,

please feel free to contact the Water Program Manager at Fort Lewis PublicWorks Environmental Division at (253) 967-2837.


8/14/2019 US Army: 2006CCR


2006 ANNUAL WATER REPOR

Indoor H 2 0 Conservation Tips • Take short showers instead of baths. Turn off the water while shampooing or

soaping.

• Do not let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.

• Check fixtures for leaks and report any problems immediately.

Outdoor H 2 0 Conservation Tips • Position your sprinkler so water is not running onto streets or other paved

areas.

• Make sure your garden hose has a nozzle that allows you to stop the f low,

rather than letting the water run continuously.

• Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for trees, shrubs, and flower beds; use

Don’t be a drip, conserve Army water !

Water Conservation

W ater Conservation Fort Lewis Regulation 11-5 was approve

in May 2006. As Fort Lewis and the surrounding communitiecontinue to grow, the demand for water is ever increasinalong with the need for conservation.

To ensure an adequate supply of water for personal use and fire protectioit is important to use our precious water resource wisely. By implementisome of the tips listed, you can make a difference and help Fort Lewis maintain an adequate drinking water supply and support its missions.

Regulation can be viewed at : https://ft.lewis.army.mil/publication/Pubs_Frame.htm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is our water safe to drink? All Fort Lewis water systems’

drinking water comes from groundwater sources and is treated

to ensure it meets or exceeds all drinking water standards.

What are the potential health effects of contaminated water? Chronic (over a long period of time) exposure

to contaminants is not likely, due to our extensive monitoringprogram. Acute (short period of time) exposure, such as theconsumption of drinking water contaminated with cryptosporid-ium, often results in diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and

low-grade fever, similar to food poisoning. To protect againstpossibility of acute exposure, Fort Lewis samples the water ona daily basis to ensure treatment and distribution system has

an adequate chlorine residual.

Is fluoride added to our drinking water? Yes, Fort

Lewis adds fluoride.

Why does our water sometimes taste like chlorine? Fort Lewis uses chlorine for disinfection before water enters

the distribution system. Chlorine has been shown to be a safeand effective agent used by most municipalities across theU.S. Sometimes, when the water has been sitting for some

time in the pipe, some of the chlorine comes out of solution.When this happens, you may smell or even taste it; however,the water is still safe to drink.

Why does our water sometimes look rusty? Rusting

of galvanized pipe in plumbing systems is the typical cause of discolored water. Iron causes the discoloration; it is not a

health risk. If the cold water is discolored, it will clear after run-ning a bit.

Fort Lewis

May 2007

Fort Lewis: 2006 AnnualDrinking Water Quality Report

WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATIONWashington State Department of Health:http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/default.htmEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA):

http://www.epa.govEPA Safe Drinking W ater Hotline: 800-426-4791

FORT LEWIS DRINKING WATER CUSTOMER

Fort Lewis Public WorksEnvironmental DivisionIMNW-LEW-PWE, MS 17 BLDG 2012

Fort Lewis, WA 98433-9500

PRESORTED STANDARDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

TACOMA WAPERMIT 918

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Condition: NORMAL (Level 1 - Green):Residential -• Limit outdoor watering to no more than 30 minutes between 0500

and 0800 or 1700 and 2000.• Houses with even numbers water on even days.• Houses with odd numbers water on odd days.Non-Residential -

• Limit outdoor watering to 30 minutes maximum, 5 days per week.

Condition: REDUCED (Level 2 - Yellow):Residential -• Outside water use is restricted.• Houses with even numbers water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.• Houses with odd numbers water on Thursdays and Sundays.Non-Residential -•

Limit outdoor watering to 25 minutes maximum, 5 days per week.• North Fort centralized wash rack closed.

Condition: SEVERE (Level 3 - Red):Residential -• Outside water use is not allowed.Non-Residential -• Outside water use is not allowed.• Vehicle washing restricted to commercial car wash facilities.

For more information, contact Fort Lewis Water Program at 967-2837.Fort Lewis Regulation 11-5 can be viewed at:

https://ft.lewis.army.mil/publication/Pubs_Frame.htm.

May 2007 INSERT

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US Army: 2006CCR