3rd MDG releases 2008 Consumer Confidence Report

  • Published
  • By Col. Paul A. Friedrichs
  • 3rd Medical Group commander
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Elmendorf is pleased to present the 2008 Consumer Confidence Report for our community water system. 

The CCR is an annual report required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Elmendorf's superb drinking water flows from pure, sparkling, snow-fed streams. This water is among the best within the Department of Defense. 

Our water is provided by the Fort Richardson Water Treatment Plant where it is monitored for more than 70 contaminants. 

In addition, Elmendorf Bioenvironmental Engineering samples the water for bacteriological contamination and additional contaminants. 

This analysis shows that in 2008, all contaminants detected were well below maximum levels allowed by the EPA. Only detected contaminants are listed in the CCR. The CCR describes the source of our water, what it contains, and what health risks are assessed. The only violation issued pertained to an error in which Fort Richardson failed to sample water for alkalinity during the month of July. No limits were exceeded and alkalinity remained at safe levels in our water. 

Elmendorf AFB is committed to providing you with the safest, most reliable water supply. We are proud to report that the water provided by Elmendorf AFB meets or exceeds established water quality standards set by the EPA and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. 

For more information about the CCR or the water quality on Elmendorf, call 3rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 552-3985.


The following report contains information about the drinking water at Elmendorf, its source, how it is treated and its quality. While most of the content is required by regulation, information has also been included that responds to questions customers ask. The data used for this report was collected in 2008. 

What is a Consumer Confidence Report?
In 1996, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act. It added a provision requiring that all community water systems (serving at least 15 service connections and/or 25 people year round) deliver to their customers a brief annual water quality report. Consumer Confidence Reports summarize information that your water system already collects to comply with regulations. The Consumer Confidence Report includes information on your source water, the levels of any detected contaminants, and compliance with drinking water rules, as well as some educational material.

Where Does My Water Come From?
Elmendorf's drinking water is obtained primarily from the Upper Ship Creek Drainage Area in the Ship Creek Watershed and treated by Fort Richardson. Because the drainage area is contained within the Chugach State Park, it is protected from many chemicals that may be found in other surface water sources. While the chemical properties of the raw (untreated) water are not assessed, the Fort Richardson treatment plant routinely examines the physical quality of the raw water, including pH, turbidity, hardness, color, and alkalinity. Additional water is obtained from three groundwater wells located on Fort Richardson. Prior to introduction into the distribution system, the additional well water is chlorinated. 

ADEC has completed an assessment of Fort Richardson's source waters. The following text is from the Executive Summary of the assessments: "Overall, Fort Richardson's Ship Creek public water system received a vulnerability rating of Medium for bacteria and viruses, nitrates and/or nitrites, heavy metals, volatile organic chemicals, other organic chemicals, and synthetic organic chemicals. Well No. 1 and Well No. 2 received a vulnerability rating of Low for bacteria and viruses, nitrates and/or nitrites, volatile organic chemicals, heavy metals, cyanide, other organic chemicals, and Medium for synthetic organic chemicals. Well No. 3 received a vulnerability rating of Medium for bacteria and viruses, nitrates and/or nitrites, volatile organic chemicals, heavy metals, synthetic organic chemicals and other organic chemicals." Vulnerability ratings are calculated based on contaminant risk and natural susceptibility, and the score is expressed in terms of high, medium, low. Questions regarding these ratings may be directed to 3rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 552-3985.

What Should I Know About My Water?
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or underground, it can dissolve naturally occurring minerals. In some cases, water can pick up radioactive material, or substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Although our water supply may contain some of these contaminants, it is important to know that these substances are either removed completely or reduced to a safe level before it arrives at your tap. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which may be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. 

Organic Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and may also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. 

Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses. 

Radioactive Contaminants, which may occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities. 

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Do I Need To Take Special Precautions?
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 EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those 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/Center for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791. 

(Click here to view the 2008 CCR)