Sustaining safe water at RAF Lakenheath

Published July 7, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Seleena Muhammad-Ali
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

RAF LAKENHEATH, England --

Stephanie Poole collects water samples at RAF Lakenheath — Stephanie Poole, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron water, contaminated lands and spills program manager, collects water samples at RAF Lakenheath, England, June 19, 2024. Poole tests the water for contaminants such as fuel, PFAs, and other pollutants. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Seleena Muhammad-Ali)

Every day, more than three million liters of water flow into an underground aquifer, providing most of RAF Lakenheath's water. The quality of this essential resource rests in the hands of a select few Airmen and civilians on the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Stephanie Poole, 48th CES water, contaminated lands, and spills program manager ensures water on the installation remains safe for drinking and the environment.

Poole's job covers three main areas: storm and wastewater quality at both RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell; spill response and prevention; and monitoring land contamination after spills as the remediation program manager. Her main focus is on keeping stormwater clean and ensuring effective spill response and prevention.

"Our goal is to keep our water free of pollutants and safe for everyone to use," said Poole. "By being proactive and addressing potential issues right away, we can prevent bigger problems later."

Poole iterated how important it is to ensure contaminates don’t end up back in our water, an important note considering stormwater and wastewater eventually end up in the underground aquifer after it has been processed and cleaned.

There are several important actions everyone should know to help maintain water quality:

Report all spills, whether you're a family member, contractor, service member, or civilian.

Clean up all spills using the correct procedures.

Do not pour chemicals or oils down storm drains; dispose of them through the proper channels.

Ensure manholes are not blocked by leaves, soil, boxes, or containers.
Only put water down the drains.

"Everyone on base plays a role in protecting our water resources," Poole emphasized. "Whether you're in the military, a civilian worker, or a family member, your actions directly impact the environment. It's a collective effort to keep our water clean."

For more information or to report a spill, contact the environmental flight at 48ces.ceie.environ@us.af.mil