2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

The 86th Medical Group’s Bioenvironmental Engineering flight is pleased to present Ramstein Air Base’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. The drinking water provided to the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) population is of high quality and safe to drink.

The report, which is required by Air Force Instruction and mirrors the Consumer Confidence Report required by the EPA in CONUS, is designed to inform you about the excellent water and services we have delivered to you over the past year. Our goal is to provide you with a safe, quality and reliable drinking water supply.
We are continually striving to improve our services and protect our vital community water resources.

The 786th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) Water Plant and Exterior Utility sections operate and maintain the KMC water distribution equipment and systems. CES personnel work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure the system is pressurized and maintains sufficient chlorine residual. CES personnel conduct daily operational monitoring to maintain the high quality of their final product ─ our drinking water.
Since 1 November 2007 the two Vogelweh systems including Kapaun AS are combined and are supplied by the City of Kaiserslautern water provider Technische Werke Kaiserslautern (TWK).

The 86th MDG Bioenvironmental Engineering flight routinely monitors water quality throughout the systems. Each week Bioenvironmental Engineering flight tests chlorine and pH levels, and collects water samples for bacteriological and chemical analysis.

All routine monitoring requirements are conducted in accordance with the Final Governing Standards for Germany (FGS-G).

The FGS-G defines the parameters to be monitored (most stringent US/German requirements), the sampling frequency, the maximum contaminant level (MCL), the notification procedures, and what processes should be initiated if non-compliance is detected (i.e., treatment techniques, bottled water issuance, etc).

The U.S. Army Public Health Command (P) Public Health Region – Europe (PHRE) at Landstuhl, a German and US certified/accredited laboratory, performs most of our analytical requirements.

The 86th MDG Bioenvironmental Engineering flight routinely monitors for over 100 drinking water parameters. The complete report for all 8 systems is available at:  www.ramstein.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110628-012.pdf
 Due to the exceptional quality of our groundwater source, treatment is for the most part, unnecessary. Chlorination is accomplished because it provides a measurable means of ensuring our water is properly disinfected.
All of our water sources are chlorinated, except the Vogelweh systems, and some of our water sources are filtered.

This is done to ensure the safest, most aesthetically pleasing product for our consumers. In 2010 we had slightly elevated trichloroethylene levels in the CTS-I (Barrier Maintenance Aera) water. These are strictly industrial and administrative areas, with no housing facilities or children present.

Public notifications were made and subsequent follow up monitoring is still in progress. In addition, steps were implemented to minimize potential consumption of contaminants at these two sites.

Although the base does not hold public meetings on its water distribution systems, we are available to address any questions or concerns you may have. Housing residents should contact the Housing Office, at DSN 489-6643, with any water concerns. Dorm residents should contact their building manager. Additional questions can be directed to 86th MDG Bioenvironmental Engineering flight, at DSN 479-2220 and Commercial 06371-46-2220.