PUBLIC NOTICE OF COLIFORM BACTERIA IN DRINKING WATER

  • Published
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The 22d ARW routinely monitors the base public water supply for the presence of total coliform bacteria eight times a month.  The water system was sampled seventeen times in September for coliform bacteria.  One routine sample and two repeat samples showed a presence of total coliform due to low disinfectant levels.  In accordance with Kansas Department of Health and Environment Standards, no more than one sample per month may contain coliform.

What this means is the base public water supply exceeded a drinking water microbiological standard for total coliforms within its distribution system in September 2015.  Although this is not an emergency and McConnell AFB water is safe for consumption, we want to ensure customers are informed and aware of what is being done to correct the situation.


Military Family Housing water is safe and potable.  You will not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.  Those who may be at an increased risk include people with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly for more information please seek advice from your health care providers.  General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

This is not an emergency.  McConnell AFB water is safe for drinking, food preparation, washing and consuming.  Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as a procedural health and wellness indicator.  Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was an indication of potential problems if not addressed. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. No E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria were found in any of the samples.

What we are doing:  Whenever coliform bacteria are detected in any sample, the 22d ARW administers follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present.  The 22d ARW retested each original site that tested positive and two additional sites near each location. There may also be an increase the number of routine samples for at least the next month.

Some corrective actions are already underway which include additional follow up sampling, additional checks of chlorine residuals within the distribution system, and flushing lines as needed.  Again, this is not an emergency and the water throughout base is safe for use. Subsequent samples taken have not indicated the presence of coliform, however we will continue to monitor the water and update the public as needed.

For information regarding this notice, please contact  Major Jon Black (316)759-5104.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly.  You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.  Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.