Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. -- The 20th Fighter Wing leadership and 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight published the 2019 Shaw AFB Annual Drinking Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report, announcing the base’s water safe for consumers, June 22.
Mandated under the Consumer Confidence Reporting Rule of Safe Drinking Water Act, the annual report depicts the quality of the past year’s water and provides details of any contaminants in the water.
“This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies,” said Staff Sgt. Carola Anselmi, 20th AMDS base water program noncommissioned officer in charge. “Shaw AFB is committed to providing its consumers information because informed consumers are our best allies. It is important because the Environmental Protection Agency and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control dictate what information must go on it to ensure users are aware of the quality of drinking water quality they have drunk throughout the year.”
Shaw AFB’s 2019 annual CCR affirms that in order to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
“Shaw AFB receives its water from two different aquifers which are the Upper and Lower Black Creek Aquifers,” states Shaw AFB’s 2019 annual CCR. “There are currently five drinking water wells permitted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, which operate on Shaw AFB. In December 2019, SCDHEC conducted a source water sanitary survey for Shaw AFB.”
Anselmi said Shaw’s bioenvironmental team ensures the water is safe to drink by periodically sampling internally and by escorting a contractor sent from the state bi-monthly to test the water.
“All sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants,” Shaw AFB’s 2019 annual CCR states. “At low levels, these substances are generally not harmful in our drinking water. Removing all contaminants would be extremely expensive, and in most cases, would not provide increased protection of public health. A few naturally occurring minerals may actually improve the taste of drinking water and have nutritional value at low levels.”
To read the full report, click here. For additional information regarding sanitary surveys and routine water sampling, contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at (803) 895-6196. For more information from the Water System Operator, contact Civil Engineering at (803) 895-5171.