RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Randolph's drinking water supply continues to meet or exceed all of the Environmental Protection Agency's requirements for quality.
That's the bottom line of the recently released 2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report prepared by the 12th Aerospace Medicine Squadron's Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight.
The document, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report, is based on testing conducted last year by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight.
"We have excellent water quality," said Staff Sgt. Lucia Bloom, Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight journeyman. "We always exceed the requirements."
Tech. Sgt. Susana Klein, NCO in charge, environmental/readiness element, said TCEQ employees visit the base several times a year for testing and once annually for an overall inspection. Inspected facilities include a water plant and two primary wells that draw water from the Edwards Aquifer.
Water is tested for inorganic contaminants, including barium, chromium, fluoride and nitrate, and for secondary constituents like calcium, chloride, copper, magnesium and sodium that can cause taste, color and odor problems but are not causes for health concerns, according to the report.
In addition, Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight personnel collect bacteriological samples each week and also test for pH, chlorine, lead and copper, though lead and copper levels are reported every three years, Sergeant Klein said. TCEQ personnel look at the flight's records in compiling data.
Water is tested at 10 approved sampling locations throughout the base.
"Sampling points have to be approved by the state," Sergeant Klein said. "They have to be representative of Randolph's water distribution system."
To view the report in its entirety, visit www.randolph.af.mil and click on "Water Quality Reports" under the Your link to Randolph section on the right side of the page.