During recent routine testing the water at Buildings 146, 812, and 915 had high concentrations of lead and/or copper. While the issue is limited to those three buildings we are providing the information below to the base to ensure that everyone is aware of what happened and what is being done to remedy the issue.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Lead Copper Rule for Community Water Systems Form 20681a

Lead Exceedance Public Education Requirements FOR COMMUNITIES

Goodfellow Air Force Base found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in the building(s) or residences during sampling conducted on 24 August 2020. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.

This notice is being sent to you by Goodfellow Air Force Base Texas State Water System ID # TX2260027 on 30 November 2020.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Goodfellow Air Force Base are concerned about lead in your drinking water. Although most sampling points had low levels of lead in the drinking water, some had high lead levels above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L).

Please note, this is not a violation under federal or state law, it does however, prompt Goodfellow Air Force Base to post Lead Public Education and if found to have a high level reading in subsequent sampling, a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water. This program may include adding corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, and if necessary replacing lead service lines. If you have any questions about how we are carrying out the requirements of the lead regulation, please give us a call at (325) 654-3126. This document explains the simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by reducing your exposure to lead in drinking water while at Goodfellow Air Force Base.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

Sources of Lead

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. The main sources of lead exposure are lead- based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics. Other sources include exposure in the work place and exposure from certain hobbies (lead can be carried on clothing or shoes). Lead is found in some toys, some playground equipment, and some children’s metal jewelry.

Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning can significantly increase a person's total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of infants who drink baby formulas and concentrated juices that are mixed with water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person's total exposure to lead. Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or the wearing away of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome plated brass faucets, and in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect your house to the water main (service lines). In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and in 2011 restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials to 0.25%. When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or later in the afternoon after returning from work or school, can contain fairly high levels of lead.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

1. Run water to flush out lead. If it hasn’t been used for several hours, run the cold water tap until the temperature is noticeably colder. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. To conserve water, remember to catch the flushed tap water for plants or some other household use (e.g. cleaning).

2. Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Don’t use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.

3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.

4. Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. Contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or NSF website for information on performance standards for water filters.

5. Get your child’s blood tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead, if you are concerned about exposure.

What Happened and What is Being Done

Routine sampling was completed in August 2020. A total of twenty samples were collected from the water distribution system and three sample results exceeded the action level for lead. The three samples that exceeded the action level were at Buildings 146, 812, and 915. Both the Medical Group and the Civil Engineering Squadron are working to remedy the issue. We have recommended that personnel who work in any of these three buildings refrain from drinking the water until the issue is remedied. Additional sampling will be performed next year during the timeframes of January – June 2021 and July – December 2021.

There is no indication of high levels of lead and copper within the water other than at Buildings 146, 812, and 915.