Nellis water testing in Area II & golf course Published Oct. 26, 2011 Bioenvironmental Engineering NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The water system servicing Area II and the golf course exceeded the standards for maximum contaminant level of trihalomethanes (TTHM) according to results from a routine test that was performed Sept. 28, 2011 at Nellis AFB. The running annual average standard for TTHM is 0.080 milligrams per liter and the level of TTHM averaged at Nellis AFB between December 2010 and September 2011 was 0.0848 mg/L. The average was based on test samples taken from across the base. Testing found that only certain sections of the base (Area II and the golf course) had elevated levels of TTHM. Main base TTHM levels are well below the standard. In addition, base housing and Lomie Heard Elementary School are not supplied by the base water system. This violation of the water standard is not considered an emergency. If this was an emergency, information would have been disseminated within 24 hours of the emergency arising. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions relating to this situation. What is TTHM and how does it affect people? TTHM forms naturally as a result of disinfectant used to clean the water reacting with items in the water. The base continually balances the disinfectant level in order to keep the system in equilibrium much like chlorinating a swimming pool. People who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the maximum contaminant level, over many years, may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous system and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. What should I do? You do not need to take any corrective actions. If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, Nellis authorities will notify you within 24 hours. Infants, elderly, pregnant women or those with severely compromised immune systems may be at increased risk and should seek advice from health care providers about drinking this water. 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. What is Nellis doing in response to this violation? Nellis awarded a contract at the end of September 2011 to have an outside expert help determine the root cause of the elevated TTHMs within the Nellis water system. Nellis is also working to minimize the formation of TTHMs by increasing the frequency of testing to help adjust the level of disinfectant being used. We are also monitoring other factors like seasonal temperature and flushing of water lines to help gauge the TTHMs at various disinfectant levels. Rest assured Nellis is committed to providing safe drinking water across the installation. The anticipated date for this issue to be resolved is April 1, 2012. For more information, contact Bioenvironmental Engineering by calling 702-653-3316 or by sending a letter to: Attn: 99 AMDS/SGPB 4700 N. Las Vegas Blvd Ste. 2419 Nellis AFB, NV 89191
