Laughlin releases water report

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jhanelle Haag
  • 47 Flying Training Wing PA
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas- --  A town hall meeting discussing a recent water report was held Sept. 17, at 2:30 p.m. in Anderson Hall and 6:00 p.m. in Club XL.

The meeting gave Maj. Jeremy Miniter, Bioenvironmental Engineering flight commander, an opportunity to go over the base's most recent water sampling report. Two of the 10 sampling sites were over the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality standard for lead. The two areas were the Non-destructive Inspection building and the Laughlin Manor.

"We want to give everyone at Laughlin an opportunity to address any questions or concerns and reassure them their water is safe for consumption," said Dr. Serafim Perdikis, 47th Medical Group flight medicine flight commander and chief of aerospace medicine.

The World Health Organization states any water containing lead levels below 100 parts per billion is still safe for consumption. The highest level was 47 ppb at NDI which is 50 percent lower than the recognized safety standard for lead, explained Perdikis.

Laughlin Family Housing is required to test every three years.  The current test was well under the limit for lead exceedance and their next test is scheduled for January/February 2015. Water reports are sent to all housing residents through email.

There are different steps that people can use to reduce lead in their water. Using cold water for cooking and running the water for 30 seconds prior to consumption are two ways that well help reduce lead action levels, explained Miniter.

Here is a list of questions that were asked during the town hall:

Q: Where is the lead coming from?
A: All of Laughlin AFB and the city of Del Rio water comes from the San Felipe Springs.  At this point Civil Engineers and Bioenvironmental Engineers are working together to pin point the exact spot.  The water coming from Del Rio does not seem to be the issue.

Q: Can my pregnant wife drink from the water? 
A: Yes, the two spots that tested over were NDI at 47 ppb and Laughlin Manor 20 ppb. The TCEQ standard is 15 ppb and the World Health Organization states anything less than 100 ppb is safe for human consumption. Laughlin Housing's last test was well below the lead action level standard.  All housing residences were given a copy of their water report through email.

If you have any questions or concerns, email Laughlin PA at 47FTWPA.Tasker@us.af.mil.