Drinking water notice issued for RAF Lakenheath Published July 11, 2012 By Staff Reports 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Slightly elevated enterococci levels were detected in the drinking water system affecting RAF Lakenheath only. The drinking water at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell is not affected. On July 3, 2012, tap water samples were collected by Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE). On July 9, 2012, the certified laboratory notified BE that the enterococci level of the July 3 sample was 72 units per 100 milliliters of water (units/100 mL) for drinking water on RAF Lakenheath. This level exceeds the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0 units/100 mL set forth in the 2010 Final Governing Standard-United Kingdom (FGS-UK) and thus requires a public notification. Enterococci is a bacteria that is measured as an indicator that human or animal fecal matter may have been introduced into the drinking water. This can be harmful to human health. The drinking water is tested regularly for several potential contaminants including multiple indicators of bacterial presence. For the samples collected on July 3 all other indicators for the presence of harmful bacteria (including fecal matter) were negative. Additionally, chlorine levels - which show how well the base's disinfection process is working - have been within the acceptable range long before the sample was collected on July 3. The chlorine levels were good that day, and have been maintained at the same safe level since. Other tests indicate that the tap water remains safe to drink. Follow-on sampling started as soon as BE was notified by the certified laboratory of the enterococci exceedance and all samples analyzed thus far have shown that the drinking water is safe. Samples are being analyzed for enterococci bacteria by the UK laboratory, but this process takes longer. Results are expected within the next few days. You will be notified of these results as soon as they are available. What Should You Do: We recommend no action on your part at this time. As mentioned, additional water testing, including testing for indicators of harmful bacteria, has indicated that the tap water is safe to drink. If the time ever arises when the levels become a health risk, BE will take immediate actions to inform you and make specific recommendations. Possible Health Effects: The presence of enterococci bacteria indicates the potential presence of other organisms that can be harmful to human health. Signs and symptoms of infection by these organisms through drinking water can include headache, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Onset of these signs and symptoms can be as early as one day after drinking contaminated water and usually occurs within one week of drinking contaminated water. This has the potential to affect anyone who drinks tap water on RAF Lakenheath. A special health risk exists 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. Corrective Actions Being Taken: RAF Lakenheath receives water from two sources: three on-base wells and Anglian Water, the local water supplier. The 48th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) uses a combination of water to supply the drinking water. BE and CES have been working together to ensure disinfection levels remain in the range to keep all the drinking water on the base safe. We have also continued to test the drinking water to monitor for any signs of contamination. The FGS-UK requires public notification if enterococci levels exceed 0 units/100 mL, thus this notification to you. The base will continue to monitor enterococci levels and release a public notice if there is another exceedance. For additional information, please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 01638 528 047 or DSN 226-8047.