2010 Drinking Water Quality Report Published June 29, 2011 By Staff Reports SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Spangdahlem Air Base has five groundwater wells, two water treatment plants and four storage reservoirs, which supply the potable water system for the entire installation. The water treatment plants use a filtration system followed by chlorination for disinfection. Fluoride is also added to the water during this process to help maintain healthy teeth. The water treatment plant personnel, along with 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering, work to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines outlined by the Environmental Final Governing Standards for Germany. The Environmental Final Governing Standards for Germany are a compilation of the most stringent standards published within the European Union, United States Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act and local German standards. The standards limit the amount of certain contaminants allowed in water provided by public water systems. For additional information or to request a copy of the 2010 drinking water quality report, call Tech. Sgt. Chadwick Kinser or Staff Sgt. Eva Doty at DSN 452-8348. Non-English speaking members can call Franz Steffes or Christian Thurner at DSN 452-7257. Potential contaminants in drinking water Drinking water, including bottled water, may contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: - Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife. - Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. - Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff and residential uses. - Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. - Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining. Lead in drinking water If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water typically originates from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Spangdahlem Air Base is required per The Germany Environmental Final Governing Standards to use only lead-free pipe, solder, flux, and fittings in the installation or repair of water systems and plumbing systems for drinking water. Minimal traces of lead will always be present, even in lead-free components, which is why annual lead samples are taken. Levels here have shown to be very minute and cause no risk to health. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for a few seconds before using water for drinking or cooking.