RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Monitoring results for samples collected from the Ramstein Water System during the compliance period 1 October 2022 - 30 September 2023 showed that the system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for Bromate. The standard for Bromate is 0.010 mg/L. The average level of Bromate over the year was 0.0167 mg/L.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water. This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. However, some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
What is being done?
Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE) is working in coordination with 786 Civil Engineering (CE) on reducing Bromate levels and anticipate resolution during the next quarter. BE will continue to monitor Bromate on a quarterly basis.
For more information, please contact BE at DSN (314) 479-2220 or usaf.ramstein.86-mdg.mbx.omrs-sgxb@health.mil.
For inquiries from the media, please contact 86 AW Public Affairs at +49 6371 47 2458, +49 172 815 2739 or email 86aw.pa@us.af.mil.
Date Notice Distributed: 12 December 2023 OPR: Ramstein 86 BE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Ramstein Water System Has Levels of Bromate Above Drinking Water Standards
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Monitoring results for samples collected from the Ramstein Water System during the compliance period 1 October 2022 - 30 September 2023 showed that the system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for Bromate. The standard for Bromate is 0.010 mg/L. The average level of Bromate over the year was 0.0167 mg/L.
What should I do?
< >There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water.This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. However, some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
What is being done?
Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE) is working in coordination with 786 Civil Engineering (CE) on reducing Bromate levels and anticipate resolution during the next quarter. BE will continue to monitor Bromate on a quarterly basis.
For more information, please contact BE at DSN (314) 479-2220 or usaf.ramstein.86-mdg.mbx.omrs-sgxb@health.mil.
For inquiries from the media, please contact 86 AW Public Affairs at +49 6371 47 2458, +49 172 815 2739 or email 86aw.pa@us.af.mil.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in dormitories, military family housing, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Date Notice Distributed: 12 December 2023 OPR: Ramstein 86 BE