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JB MDL water working group releases public notice of Dix main water system

  • Published
  • By Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst water working group
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  A public notice is being issued for the Dix Main water system because tests showed the presence of coliform bacteria. This public notice applies only to the Dix system, and does not apply to the systems on McGuire or Lakehurst. Although the incident was not an emergency, Dix water system users have a right to know what happened and what was done to correct the situation. The water in the Dix system is, and has been, safe. The water on the McGuire and Lakehurst systems was unaffected by this issue and continues to be safe.

Drinking water is routinely monitored for contaminants across each of the three water systems serving residents on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. During the month of June, four samples out of 37 taken from the Dix system showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one sample may test positive. 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, leading to a closer inspection of the water system to assure there were no problems with the treatment or distribution system. Whenever coliforms are detected, this kind of follow up testing is done to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. These harmful bacteria were not found in subsequent testing.

The cause of the coliform bacteria is not known. Human error during sampling or contaminated sampling supplies cannot be ruled out. In response, the water mains were flushed and the entire Dix system was re-sampled by a second, independent, state certified laboratory. The re-sample results were all normal, and the coliform issue has been resolved.

Hard copies of the public notice are available at Army Community Services, ASA Training Management Division, Dix Unaccompanied Housing Office, United Communities Office, the Base Library and at this public website link: www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120725-008.pdf.

Please call Bioenvironmental Engineering at 754-9057 for health-related questions or the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron at 562-2225 for operations and maintenance questions.