Base water possibly contaminated

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Jessica McConnell and Jose Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT, N.D. --  Many Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their families flooded the commissary here when the boil water order was put into effect for the city of Minot, which includes the air force base, June 25.

A boil water order was issued to the city of Minot in response to a possible contamination incident at the Minot Water Treatment Plant.

Jason Sorenson, the Minot Water Treatment Plant superintendent, said they discovered the leak some time June 25, but aren't exactly sure when the leak started that day.

"We figure that we got somewhere in the neighborhood of a couple hundred thousand gallons of raw river water mixed into approximately one million gallons of clean, treated water," he said. "By the time we caught it, that water went out into the system already."

He said putting the system out of service to clean it out just wasn't an option.

"Our plan is to monitor the water by using a tracer and by measuring the suspended sediment maintained in water by turbulent flow," said the superintendent. "Basically what we're going to do is follow the 'slug' of water, and once we're comfortable that the turbidities [measure of sediment] in other towns are mirroring what we are currently producing at the plant, we'll be comfortable in saying the facilities are flushed."

Mr. Sorenson said the plant will conduct a water quality test to ensure the samples pass acceptable standards. As to when water will be suitable to consume, Mr. Sorenson is unsure of the exact date.

"Right now everyone wants to know how long this will take, and while we don't know exactly how long, we're doing everything we can to provide good water to the communities," he said. "We're going to do whatever is necessary to resolve this situation."

Larry Thelen, North Dakota Department of Health drinking water program administrator, said they had been working with the plant since June 24 on other issues, and then the water incident occurred.

"The people here at the plant have been doing a great job trying to control what has happened," said Mr. Thelen. "We're going to do some checking before we say the water is fine. The boil order will stay until we work through things. It's going to be quite a process."

Mr. Thelen referenced Grand Forks, N.D., as having a similar situation; it is that situation they are using as a guide to get through this one.

"Grand Forks has been through something similar in 1997, so we'll pretty much follow the same process, but for now we just have to make sure we get all the details laid out and determine how everything is going to happen," he said.

Capt. Samuel Logan, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron interim operations flight commander, met with the water treatment plant officials to discuss water conditions, precautions that needed to be taken, and to also offer assistance as needed.

"We are not only here as a stakeholder, we're here to support," said the captain. "We have our own plumbers and water engineers on base, so if manpower assistance is needed, we can help."

During the June 26 press conference in downtown Minot, many audience members expressed concerns and questions about the consumption and use of tap water.

Officials advise people using tap water within Ward County to continue using water to wash hands, but to do so for at least 20 seconds using antibacterial soap, and to dry hands thoroughly. Using hand sanitizer following hand washing is recommended.

Using the water to do laundry is also acceptable. If possible, it is advised to do so in hot water. For young children and infants, health officials advise using boiled or bottled water for bathing, hand-washing clothes, and preparing formula and food. Using the dishwasher is also said to be safe, but it is recommended that dishes be sanitized with any one of the sanitation solutions suggested on First District of Health's website.

If contaminated water is ingested, health officials assure the public that no real harm would be done to the individual. People with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable and should be extra cautious.

For more information visit www.fdhu.org.