Base notifies well users of monitoring violation: Recent water tests shows water safe Published March 14, 2008 By Capt. Suzanne Ovel 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- In response to a recent well monitoring violation, McChord Bioenvironmental Engineering Element personnel recently conducted a sampling of well No. 2 to test its nitrate levels, discovering the levels are well within acceptable drinking limits as established by the Washington State Department of Health. Operators of the McChord AFB water system, I.D. # 52200J, located in Pierce County, are required to monitor the base's drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis; results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not the drinking water meets health standards. In 2007 well No. 2 was not tested for nitrate, and therefore base officials cannot be sure of the quality of the drinking water during that time. Well No. 2 serves the main base,including the senior staff and officer housing brick quarters. "Immediately after being notified of the missed test, we sent out our Bioenvironmental Engineering technicians to test the well's nitrate levels. As expected, and as we've seen in years past, the nitrate levels are within the State's drinking water standards" said Lt. Col. John Andrus, 62nd Medical Operations Squadron commander. Colonel Andrus said that at this time, no action is required by the well users. Procedures have been changed to ensure the sampling does not get missed in the future. In addition, he said that the main housing area's wells were sampled in 2007 and were within acceptable limits. Anyone requesting additional information should contact the Bioenvironmental Engineering Element at 253-982-3921 or at 690 Barnes Blvd, McChord AFB, Wash.