RAF Lakenheath water safe to drink Published July 13, 2012 By Staff Reports 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Additional samples have been analyzed for enterococci and did not contain bacteria. The tap water on RAF Lakenheath is safe to drink. On July 11, 2012, a notice was issued to inform tap water consumers on RAF Lakenheath that the UK contract laboratory found a positive result for the presence of enterococci in one drinking water sample collected on RAF Lakenheath on July 3, 2012. Follow-on samples were collected immediately upon notification of the enterococci sample and sent to the contract laboratory for further analyses. The follow-on samples have been confirmed negative for the presence of enterococci. This further supports the monitoring done by Bioenvironmental Engineering and Civil Engineering over the past few days. It can be concluded from the sampling and analysis that the tap water is safe to drink. As stated in the previous notification, drinking water contaminated with harmful bacteria can cause headache, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Onset of these signs and symptoms would be expected as early as one day after drinking contaminated water and usually occurs within one week of drinking contaminated water. This would have the potential to affect anyone who drinks contaminated tap water, with a special health risk for infants, the elderly, and those with severely compromised immune systems. There have not been any recently reported cases matching this description. However, if you are experiencing a combination of the signs and symptoms listed, please seek medical attention. Thank you for your patience in this matter. Be assured that Civil Engineering (48 CES) and Bioenvironmental Engineering (48 AMDS/SGPB) will continue to maintain and monitor the drinking water on RAF Lakenheath and will keep you informed if a risk is identified. For additional information, please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 01638 528 047 or DSN 226-8047.