SEPT. 4 UPDATE 12:59 PM
Fort Stewart released the following update to the boil water notice:
Boil Water Notice - Ongoing
Fort Stewart main cantonment area, to include Wright Army Airfield and 2IBCT is under a boiled water only for consumption restriction until further notice. One of six water wells supplying installation water tested positive for E Coli during routine testing. The water distribution system and all other wells were tested with normal results. Fort Stewart leadership is acting in accordance with State law and state regulators to rectify the situation and taking all necessary actions to insure no compromise of health
and safety of personnel. We will work through the weekend to resolve.
Updates will be posted on the Third Infantry Division and Fort Stewart Facebook sites.
--Questions and answers --
What should I do? What does this mean?
. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
. *Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.*
. The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.
What is being done?
Upon notification of the positive sample on 3 SEP 15, Well #2 was immediately taken offline and is currently in a lock out/tag out status. The well will remain offline until additional source water samples from this well are negative for microbiological contaminants. Additional source water samples were collected mid-afternoon on 3 SEP 15. We will inform you when tests show no E. coli and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem within 24 hours.
For more information, please contact the DPW Environmental Division at 767-2010 and 912-320-0324 or the DPW O&M Division at 912-767-2149 and 912-320-0257 or in person at Bldg 1137, 1550 Veteran's Parkway, FSGA 31314. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
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PREVIOUSLY: The following notice was posted on the 3rd Infantry Division Facebook Page SEPT. 3:
MARNE ALERT: DRINKING WATER WARNING
Fort Stewart's Water Well #2 Tested Positive for a Fecal Indicator*.
Although Well #2 has been taken off line for additional testing and disinfection, you are cautioned to BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING on post!
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST on post. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
*Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.*
.The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.
For more information, contact the DPW Environmental Division at 912-767-2010 or 912-320-0324 or the DPW O&M Division at 912-767-2149 and 912-320-0257.