Report on Drinking Water Surveillance Program, 314 TAW

File: 110196_aacge_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 2
DESCRIPTION: GIVES DISCUSSION OF WATER PROBLEMS AND SOLUTION
FROM:  314 HOSP/SG on Drinking Water Surveillance Program. 

SUBJECT:  Report on Drinking Water Surveillance Program, 314 TAW
	 	Deployed)
  TO:  USCENTAF/SG
  1. The following is a brief  summation of the problems encountered in
  establishing an effective notable drinking water surveillance program
at the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing (Deployed), and actions taken to
 solve the problems to ensure a safe drinking water supply to deployed
  personnel.
   2. PROBLEM: Water samples taken shortly after arrival showed trace
levels of chlorine residual with no bacteriological growth.  However,
  water samples taken after these initial samples showed no evidence of
  detectable chlorine levels. Two water samples taken 2 Oct 90 using
  the membrane filter technique were tested positive for bacteriological
  growth;  the locations where these samples were taken were previously
tested negative.
   3. DISCUSSION:
a. Water is supplied to the Bateen Air Ease by the Water Company
  of Abu Dhabi. According to Charles Stephens, Water Department
  Superintendent, the water is initially desalinated and chlorinated at
  a station off the coast of UAE. It in brought into Abu Dhabi from a
  pumping station where it is rechlorinated at a level of one part per
  million (ppm). The Environmental Herb Officer from the Al-Dhafra
  ATH (Major Steadman) initially tested the drinking water on 21 Aug and
  1 Sept 90. These samples showed trace levels of chlorine and were
  negative for coliform growth. Subsequent samples failed to show any
  detectable levels of chlorine. One sample of melted ice water tested
  positive for coliform growth. This was "non-potable" ice obtained
  from a local downtown restaurant which was contracted to provide
 catered meals. The ice gag used solely for the purpose of keeping
 bottled water cold and was eliminated from further use.
 
  b. On 2 Oct 90, water samples were taken from a water cooler and
  from the sink in the field kitchen. These samples showed no
  detectable levels of chlorine, and bacteriological testing showed what
  we believed to be multiple colonies of coliform bacteria. On the day
  these samples were reads Colonel Alm, CENTAF Chief, Veterinarian
  Serviced was present and stated the samples did represent coliform
  bacteriological growth. This was further confirmed by a bioenviron-
  mental engineering technician frog Al-Dhafra (SSgt Freysinger). The
  base commander and base civil engineer were notified and the field
  kitchen immediately began using bottled eater for food preparation.
  In addition, all base personnel were ordered go drink bottled waters
  and "No Drinking" signs were posted on the water coolers. One of the
  plates was sent to the Zayed Hospital microbiology section for colony
  identification. They later determined these colonies were pseudomonas
  ??p.  and Acinobacter (i.e. non coliform). However, after 2-3 days the
  colonies did take on the green metallic sheen typical of E. coli
  bacteria. Potential causes of the positive results were soil
  contamination occurring at the site of two broken water lines (near
  the field kitchen and subject water coolers), and/or the lack of a