2016 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

  • Published

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The 2016 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, or MWRA, Lexington and Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Public Water System Identification, or PWSID, Number 3023002.

This report is an annual snapshot of the drinking water quality delivered by Hanscom Air Force Base. Under the Consumer Confidence Reporting Rule of the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Act, or SDWA, community water systems are required to report this water quality information to the consuming public. Presented in this report is information on the source of our water and where it comes from, what it contains, how it compares to state and federal standards, and the health risks associated with any contaminants. We are committed to providing you with information because customers are our best allies. If you are interested in opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water, please contact the personnel listed in section I. Meetings occur on a non-routine and as-needed basis.

I. PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM INFORMATION

Address: Hanscom Air Force Base
Contact: Renata N. Welch, 66th Civil Engineering Division; and Tech. Sgt. Ronnie McGee, Bioenvironmental Engineering.
Telephone: 781-225-6142 and 781-225-6365.

Water System Improvements:
The Hanscom Air Force Base water system is routinely inspected by the 66th Civil Engineering Division Utilities section (CE); and 66th Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE). CE and BE inspect the system for its technical, financial and managerial capacity to provide safe drinking water to residents. To ensure the highest quality water is available and provided to residents, a Massachusetts-certified operator oversees the routine operations of the water system.

II. YOUR DRINKING WATER SOURCE

The water supplied to Hanscom AFB is from the adjacent towns of Lexington and Bedford, Mass. Lexington receives its water from the MWRA. Bedford receives most of its water from MWRA, as well as a small amount from the Shawsheen Groundwater Treatment Facility. The MWRA water comes from the Quabbin Reservoir, about 65 miles west of Boston, and the Wachusett Reservoir, about 35 miles west of Boston. Water is sent from the Quabbin Reservoir through the Wachusett Reservoir to 39 MetroWest and Greater Boston cities and towns that includes Hanscom AFB.

Quabbin and Wachusett watersheds are protected naturally, and through MWRA and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, or DCR. More than 85 percent of the watersheds are covered in forest and wetlands that help purify water as it flows across the land to the reservoirs. MWRA and DCR control land use and access to the watersheds. DCR patrols watersheds daily and MWRA scientists make sure the watersheds, streams, and reservoirs are tested regularly.

MWRA's licensed treatment operators treat the water through a process called primary disinfection. The water chemistry is adjusted to reduce corrosion of lead and copper from home plumbing. Fluoride is also added to reduce cavities. As of July 2005, ozone is added to the water leaving the reservoirs to kill microorganisms that may be present. Once the water enters the main MWRA distribution system, it is treated with a mild and enduring disinfectant called chloramine. Based on acceptable levels of total chlorine from the MWRA facility, Hanscom AFB does not supplement the distribution system with any additional disinfectant. Additionally, in the event of a water emergency the Hanscom Contingency Response Plan, Annex P will be implemented to provide necessary action.

In July 2005, the John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant started providing state-of-the-art treatment to the drinking water for the 51 communities in Eastern Massachusetts served by the MWRA. The Marlborough plant uses ozonation and chloramination to treat up to 275 million gallons of water daily, or up to 405 on a peak day. In addition, ultraviolet light treatment began in 2014. UV light damages the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens making it a strong disinfectant. Additionally, UV light inactivates chemically resistant parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Since the plant has been on-line, it has exceeded the current regulatory requirements for inactivation of Giardia, provided Cryptosporidium inactivation in advance of future regulations and reduced the formation of disinfection by-products.

III. SUBSTANCE FOUND IN TAP WATER

Sources of drinking water, both tap water and bottled water, include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material. It can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agricultural or urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and some infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

IV. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

Maximum Contaminant Level, or MCL, is the highest level of a contaminant in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (see below) as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or MCLG, is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level, or MRDL, is the highest level of a disinfectant (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal, or MRDLG, is the level of a drinking water disinfectant (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide) below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Action Level, or AL, is the concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
90th Percentile means that out of every 10 homes, nine were at or below this level.
Treatment Technique, or TT, is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Variances and Exemptions is that state or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions.
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, or SMCL, the standards are developed to protect the aesthetic qualities of drinking water and are not health based.

V. WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS

EPA and state regulations require many tests of water quality after treatment. MWRA follows, and even goes beyond, federal and state standards with the frequency and sensitivity of tests. The EPA has identified more than 120 contaminants that must be tested in drinking water. A complete list can be found at www.mwra.com. During 2016, the MWRA reported finding nine EPA identified contaminants, listed in the tables below. None of the contaminant levels detected exceeded the EPA's MCLs.

Links to the full reports for the towns of Lexington and Bedford are here.

Table 1: MWRA Sampling Results

Hanscom AFB has one interconnection with Bedford that is used to supply the 66th Force Support Squadron's FamCamp. Bedford has its own groundwater supply and it purchases surface water from Lexington. In 2016, the entire system was provided with 180.5 million gallons of water. Approximately 97 percent of this water was supplied by the MWRA. The remaining three percent is supplied by the Shawsheen Groundwater Treatment Facility.

MWRA has been working with the EPA and other researchers to define new national drinking water standards by testing for contaminants that are not regulated. MWRA results will be used with those of other water suppliers to help EPA set regulations if they are necessary. MWRA also tests reservoir water for pathogens such as fecal coliform, bacteria, viruses and the parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia that can enter the water from animal or human waste. All test results were well within state and federal testing and treatment standards. Cryptosporidium can cause gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems --that is, severely immuno-compromised -- are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals. These symptoms are unlikely to be found due to the low measured values. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Hanscom AFB provides quality drinking water by maintaining the local distribution system and testing regularly. Along with the routine water evaluations performed by the MWRA, the base's BE office monitors the quality of our water by testing it monthly at nine locations for bacteria, chlorine and pH levels on the base and FamCamp. A qualified staff member collects samples and delivers them to the MWRA for analysis.

Sodium in water contributes a small fraction of a person's overall sodium intake, less than 10 percent. MWRA tests for sodium monthly and the highest level found was 32.9 mg/L (about 9 mg per 8 ounce glass). This would be considered very low sodium by the Food and Drug Administration.

Bacteriological Testing: The drinking water at Hanscom AFB is tested twice a month. Nine samples taken across Hanscom are tested for Total Coliform. Total Coliform is a non-pathogenic bacteria that is naturally present in the environment. A Total Coliform positive from the lab is an alert to check for E.coli, which is a subgroup of fecal coliform. The MCL for Hanscom is two positive samples a month.

Total Coliform Results: There were no positive samples for Total Coliform and there were no disease causing bacteria found in the water for 201

Table 2: Hanscom AFB Total Coliform Results



Lead and Copper: If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems when present, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. MWRA is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When water has been sitting for several hours, the potential for lead exposure can be minimized by flushing the tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead in the water, users may wish to have the water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps to take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

MWRA water is lead-free when it leaves the reservoirs. The pipes that carry the water to communities are made mostly of iron and steel and do not add lead to water. However, local water pipes and home plumbing fixtures containing lead and copper material can affect water quality at the tap. Corrosion or pipes wearing away can add lead and copper to tap water, especially if water sits for long periods of time in the pipes before use.

In 2016, testing was conducted at 20 locations throughout Hanscom AFB and the FamCamp to determine compliance with established guidelines. The 90th percentile results for both lead and copper were below the EPA established action levels (Table 3). This puts the Hanscom AFB system in compliance with federal regulation requirements. The next lead and copper compliance sampling period is scheduled for September 2019.

Table 3: 2016 Hanscom AFB Lead and Copper Sampling Results



The 66th Force Support Squadron requested that water lead samples be collected at the Child Development Center and Youth Center. Although BE had collected lead samples as required by EPA compliance sampling, those samples were not collected from all spigots at the CDC and Youth Center. EPA requires two potable faucets be checked, while the Department of Defense requires all faucets at the CDC and Youth Center be checked. Bioenvironmental was notified in 2014 the DOD requirement had not been met. On July 31, 2014, BE collected 10 water samples from the CDC and Youth Center. The results of the lead sampling are listed in the table below. The results show that all samples were below the lead action level (AL) of 0.015 mg/L

Table 4: 2014 Hanscom AFB Child Development Center and Youth Center Sampling Results



VI. COMPLIANCE WITH DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

Does Hanscom Air Force Base drinking water meet current health standards?

Yes, the water at Hanscom AFB meets current health standards. Concerning the drinking water; Hanscom AFB Civil Engineering and Bioenvironmental Engineering are committed to providing residents with the best water quality available.

VII. EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

Frequently asked questions:

Q. How would I know about a problem with the water supply?
A. Bioenvironmental Engineering and Water Utilities regularly test and inspect the water supply and the distribution system. If a problem was found, all affected people would be notified through leaflets, email and the Hansconian, the base newspaper.

Q. My water tastes and smells funny. Is it safe to drink?
A. According to MWRA, you can safely drink and cook with the water. Algae can cause water to have a "funny" smell and odor. Algae are normal, harmless plants that appear in the reservoirs at certain times of the year. On occasion, customers may also taste or smell the low levels of chlorine compounds added to disinfect the water. Fill a jug with tap water and put it the refrigerator to get rid of the taste and odor.

Q. My water is cloudy sometimes but then clears up. Can I drink it?
A. You can safely drink and cook with the water. Water travels under pressure throughout the system. Occasionally, air can become trapped in the water in tiny bubbles causing water to look cloudy. This is only temporary and the water clears up in a short time.

Q. My water is discolored. Can I drink it?
A. According to MWRA, you can safely drink and cook with the water. Old iron pipes in buildings can cause a red, brown or yellow color in the water. A yellow color is from iron that is absorbed by water that has been sitting in pipes for a long time. A red or brown color is caused by very small specks of iron. These specks of iron can enter the water if there is a quick change in water speed or direction in your local pipes. Such changes can result from valve repair, flushing the system, or the testing and use of fire hydrants.

For more information or concerns about anything contained in this report, contact any of the numbers listed below. Hanscom does not hold regularly scheduled board meetings for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water.

Bioenvironmental Engineering: 781-225-6366
Massachusetts Water Resource Authority: 617-242-5323
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791
Hanscom AFB Public Affairs Office: 781-225-1685
Bedford Department of Public Works: 781-275-7605

Additional information can be obtained by viewing the following websites:

http://www.mwra.state.ma.us  
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/swapreps.htm  
http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws/