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2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for Kunsan Air Base
This is the Consumer Confidence Report for Kunsan AB for 2010. This Drinking Water Quality Report indicates that our drinking water meets all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Air Force regulations. In 2010 Kunsan's potable water was tested for over 50 contaminants. Only contaminants detected in 2010 by sensitive lab instruments are reported in this Consumer Confidence report.
This report informs you about the water quality and services delivered to you every day. USAF's goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We are committed to ensure the quality of your water. Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves and acquires minerals and, in some cases, can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Kunsan Air Base performs treatment on water originating from the Okku Reservoir, which is located approximately two miles off base. Currently, Kunsan Air Base purchases its water from Gunsan City.
Contaminants present in source water may include: microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife; inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial and domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining and farming; pesticides and herbicides which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses; organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems; radioactive contaminants which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or by visiting their website at http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/watedrinkingwater.html.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (secondary standards) are non-enforceable guidelines regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply. Going above and beyond the federal requirements, Kunsan Air Base is currently undergoing a major project to improve water quality for its customers. The base water treatment plant is receiving a major renovation, from July 2010 to September 2011, as components of the treatment process will be upgraded to provide both higher treatment capacity and better customer satisfaction.
For United States installations overseas, the host nation and American governments agree on a set of environmental standards to be followed. In the case of Korea, the 2004 Korean Environmental Governing Standards (KEGS) regulate the testing, quality, and quantity of contaminants that are allowed in the water system. Note: The drinking water contaminant levels in the KEGS are the same as U.S. EPA standards.
To obtain a copy of the KEGS or if you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact the 8 MDOS Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 782-4670 or Civil Engineering Customer Service at 782-5313.
Kunsan Air Base routinely monitors for constituents in your drinking water according to the KEGS. The table below shows 1 January - 31 December 2010 monitoring period results. This table will use many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you understand these terms we've provided the following definitions:
Parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) - One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
Parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (ug/L) - One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.
Action Level - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level - The "Maximum Allowed" (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The "Goal" (MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - Nephelometric turbidity unit is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is noticeable to the average person.
DNS - Did not sample
ND - None Detected
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