Last modified Wed., March 21, 2007 - 04:42 PM
Originally created Thursday, March 22, 2007

Navy testing identifies levels of coliform in water exceeding state drinking water rules

From Naval Facilities Southeast

Water towers (250,000 gallons each) help maintain consistent pressure in potable water lines at NAS Jax. File photo

Navy sampling of the water system on NAS Jacksonville in February 2007 identified elevated levels of coliform exceeding Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) water rules. The drinking water on NAS Jacksonville is sampled at 42 different locations every month. On Feb. 27, five samples tested positive for coliform in the weapons, reserve center, medical, bachelor enlisted quarters and exchange areas.

The Navy immediately performed an additional round of sampling on Feb. 28. All repeat samples tested negative for coliform and were within FDEP guidelines. Chlorine residuals were recorded at sufficient levels throughout the sampling, indicating proper disinfection. The Navy believes that a batch of contaminated sample bottles provided by the contract lab may have been the source of the coliform identified in the first samples.

What should you do?

There is not need to boil water or take other corrective actions; however, if individuals have specific health concerns, they should consult with their doctor.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

What does this mean?

Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed by the state's drinking water regulations and this was an indication of potential problems with the water system.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the system's treatment or distribution systems (piping). Whenever detection of coliform bacteria is found in any sample, follow-up testing is performed to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E-coli, are present.

What was done?

Since the five sampling points were immediately re-sampled and the results passed, no further action is required. The water utilities manager will continue to closely monitor all samples per state requirements. For more information, please contact Wally Holdstein at 542-3991, Ext. 4632.