CFAY Consumer Confidence Report: Drinking water systems 2011

From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East Public Affairs

The Navy is pleased to provide you with this annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) of Drinking Water Systems that support Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka ( CFAY), including Yokosuka, Ikego, Negishi, Nagai, Fleet Mail Center, Urago, Hakozaki (Azuma), and Tsurumi. This report meets Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Policy Letter 5090, Ser EV/10011, July 6, 2010 and reflects monitoring data collected in 2011.

This report provides information about the water delivered to us in 2011. It describes where our water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards for safe drinking water. The drinking water at CFAY is safe to drink. Our goal is, and always has been, to provide safe and dependable drinking water.

Source of Water: Our drinking water comes from the following surface water sources: Sagami Lake, Tsukui Lake, Miyagase Lake, Tanzawa Lake, Doushi River, Sagami River, and Sakawa River. Hashirimizu Spring is also an emergency water supply for Yokosuka City. Drinking water at CFAY is purchased from the Yokosuka City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau, the Yokohama Waterworks Bureau, or the Kanagawa Prefectural Waterworks. These waterworks filter and chlorinate the drinking water provided to us.

Water Distribution Systems: The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East (NAVFACFE) Public Works Department (PWD) operates the water distribution system servicing our area. In Yokosuka and Ikego, purchased water is temporarily stored in tanks. The water provided to the housing areas at Yokosuka and Ikego is fluoridated prior to distribution. Ikego housing area has a chlorine feeding facility for emergency use. Negishi’s water is provided directly from the Yokohama Waterworks Bureau.

Water Quality: This year, as in years past, our drinking water met all criteria established in the Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS). The JEGS are Department of Defense (DoD) self-governing standards intended to ensure DoD activities and installations in Japan protect human health and the natural environment through the promulgation of specific environmental compliance criteria. Drinking water standards in the JEGS are derived from the same standards used in the U.S. to ensure safe drinking water is available to all installation personnel. It requires us to monitor and test our water for contaminants on a regular basis, ensuring it is safe to drink.

Possible Source of Contaminants: As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals. It can also pick up other contaminants resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain trace amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or visiting the EPA website at http://water.epa.gov/drink/.

Potential Contaminants:

 • Lead – Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. This year, as in years past, our tap water did not exceed the lead drinking water health standards requirements set forth in the JEGS. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can further minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking. Information on lead in drinking water is available at http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/index.cfm.

• Nitrate/Nitrite – Nitrates are naturally present in soil, water, and food. They are used primarily to make fertilizer. Nitrates themselves are relatively nontoxic. However, when swallowed, they are converted to nitrites that can react with hemoglobin in the blood, creating methemoglobin. This methemoglobin cannot transport oxygen, causing shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. This year, as in years past, our tap water did not exceed the Nitrate/Nitrite drinking water health standards requirements set forth in the JEGS. Information on Nitrate in drinking water is available at http://water.epa.gov/drink/contamin...sicinformation/nitrate.cfm." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://water.epa.gov/drink/contamin...trate.cfm.

 • Arsenic – Arsenic is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. People who over a period of many years drink water contaminated with arsenic in excess of the drinking water standards could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. This year, as in years past, our tap water did not exceed the arsenic drinking water health standards requirements set forth in the JEGS. Information on Arsenic in drinking water is available at http://water.epa.gov/drink/contamin...sicinforma tion/arsenic.cfm.

Drinking Water Monitoring: We use Japanese and EPA approved laboratory methods to analyze our drinking water. CFAY monitors its drinking water for the following constituents and at the prescribed frequencies. The water samples were collected from multiple locations and faucets at schools, offices, quarters, and community facilities. For example, for Total Coliform, we monitor 36 locations a month. The collected samples are not pooled. They are analyzed individually.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: My water doesn’t taste/smell/look good. What’s wrong with it?
A: Even when water meets standards, it still may have an objectionable taste, smell or appearance. These are aesthetic characteristics that do not pose health risks. Cloudiness is typically caused by air bubbles. A chlorinated taste can be improved by letting the water stand exposed to air. Rust-colored water and metallic tastes are due to iron in the water; they are not a health risk and can be improved by running the tap until the water clears. If you wish to improve the taste, smell or appearance of your water, you can install a home water filter.
For more information on this report, please contact
Masato Nakamichi, of CFAY PWD Environmental Division at DSN 243-6460 or Masato.Nakamichi.JA@fe.navy.mil.