LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Annual reports detailing the quality of drinking water provided on Lackland and the Lackland Training Annex were recently released by base officials stating that drinking water on base meets Environmental Protection Agency requirements and is safe to drink.
"We continually ensure that the drinking water is safe for potable use by to our customers on base," said Lt. Col. Richard Bert, Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight Commander.
He said that though the report is required annually, water is tested regularly throughout the year to ensure customers are receiving the highest quality water.
Each year Bioenvironmental Engineering is required by the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to conduct separate water sample analysis and testing of the two locations and provide separate Consumer Confidence Reports to consumers.
Two reports are required because each location is served by different water distribution systems.
According to the report, very small levels of contaminants were found in the drinking water on Lackland and the Lackland Annex.
The report pointed out, however, that some contaminants are naturally occurring in the environment and all drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.
According to Colonel Bert, the presence of these contaminants does not indicate that water poses a health risk. The bacteriological samples taken from Lackland and the LTA are collected by Bioenvironmental Engineering and the samples are analyzed by state certified lab and validated by the TCEQ.
For all other parameters, a contractor authorized by TCEQ collects the samples and has them analyzed by a state certified lab. To view the reports, go
http://www.lackland.af.mil/library/environment.asp.