A look at water quality
on Army bases in Europe
The following is a synopsis of the quality of water at Army bases in
Europe. Information was provided by U.S. Army Europe.
ITALY
22nd ASG Vicenza:
Water is supplied to Camp Ederle and Villaggio Family Housing by
U.S.-owned water wells. Water to Longare, ASP7, and Verona is supplied via public water
systems. Based on the most recent analytical results, the water supplied to all areas is
considered drinkable. The aquifer that supplies water to Caserma Ederle and Villagio
Family Housing has detectable levels of ammonia, cyanide and various volatile organic
compounds. These contaminants are effectively treated through the process of chlorination
and granular activated carbon treatment system at Caserma Ederle. Residents of Villaggio
Family Housing are currently being provided bottled water as a precautionary measure until
a new treatment system is installed. A very thorough health risk assessment has been
completed and increased monitoring has been performed. No residents are at risk from
consuming the water at any of these locations. All housing areas are in compliance with
lead and copper action levels, the minimum standard set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
22nd ASG / 216th BSB Livorno:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and via
public water systems. The tap water distributed to Camp Darby is considered drinkable. The
drinking water distributed to Leghorn Army Depot is considered non-drinkable due to
presence of volatile organic compounds. To provide a safe supply of water to this
community, the Army provides bottled water for personnel working at the depot. A project
is ongoing for piping drinkable water from Camp Darby to the Leghorn Army Depot.
GERMANY
6th ASG Stuttgart and Garmisch:
Water is supplied via public water systems. The military provides
additional treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent
analytical results, the water supplied to all areas of Garmisch and Stuttgart is
drinkable. All housing areas are in compliance with lead and copper levels.
26th ASG / 293rd BSB Mannheim:
Water is supplied via public water systems. The military further
treats water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical results,
the water supplied to all areas of Mannheim is considered drinkable. At Dannenfels
Communication Station, bottled water is provided by the Army for consumption by personnel.
All housing areas are in compliance with lead and copper levels.
26th ASG / 411th BSB Heidelberg:
All water is supplied via public water systems with the exception of
the Small Arms Range and Golf Course, which are supplied by U.S.-owned deep wells. U.S.
Forces provide further treatment by adding chlorine disinfectant. The chemical and
physical qualities of the water supply are considered drinkable based on most recent
sample results. Mark Twain Village and Patrick Henry Village Housing Areas are not in
compliance with the levels for lead. The source of lead was identified as the faucet
fixtures. The Base Support Battalion is replacing the problem faucets during routine
maintenance and ongoing renovations. In the meantime, residents have been advised to flush
the cold water tap for one minute before using for drinking or cooking purposes. It has
been demonstrated through analytical procedures that flushing the water for at least one
minute is more than sufficient to reduce lead levels to well below maximum contaminant
levels.
26th ASG / 233rd BSB Darmstadt:
All water is supplied via public water systems, with the exception of
the Messel Small Arms Range, whose water is provided by a U.S.-owned well. For some
locations, the Army further treats water by adding chlorine disinfectant. The water supply
is considered drinkable with the following exceptions: Spessart Manors and Travis Park
water samples exceeded the acceptable nitrate level. The concentrations may pose a health
threat to pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants, so this population is provided with
bottled water. Spessart Manors, Lincoln Village and Santa Barbara Family Housing are not
in compliance with the level for lead. The Base Support Battalion has conducted a plumbing
profile, which identified faucet fixtures as the source of lead. The Base Support
Battalion is replacing the problem faucets during routine maintenance and ongoing
renovations. In the meantime, residents have been advised to flush the cold water tap for
one minute before using for drinking or cooking purposes. It has been demonstrated through
analytical procedures that flushing the water for one minute is more than sufficient to
reduce lead levels to well below maximum contaminant levels.
26th ASG / 415th BSB Kaiserslautern:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and via public
water systems. U.S. Forces provide further treatment of water through the addition of a
chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical results, the water supplied to
all areas of the Kaiserslautern military community is drinkable. Volatile organic
compounds above the acceptable levels are present in the raw water supplied to Landstuhl
facilities; however, the contaminants are effectively removed with a granular activated
carbon treatment system. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were also detected, but a health
risk assessment was prepared and concluded that the concentrations detected do not pose an
increased health threat. Landstuhl Family Housing Area is in compliance with the lead and
copper levels. Elevated lead levels were found in one building. Residents of the affected
building have been advised to flush the cold water tap for one to two minutes before using
it for drinking and cooking purposes.
80th ASG / 950th BSB Bremerhaven:
Water is supplied via public water systems. Based on the most recent
sampling results, water is considered drinkable. Kjeldahl-nitrogen concentration exceeded
the acceptable level; however, this concentration does not pose a health threat.
98th ASG / 235th BSB Ansbach:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and via public
water systems. U.S. Forces provide further treatment of water by adding chlorine
disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical results, the water supplied to the
Ansbach military community is considered drinkable. Sulfate was detected in the water
supplied to the Oberdachstetten Training Area in a concentration greater than the
acceptable level. Sulfate does not pose an increased health threat at the level detected.
All family housing areas are in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
98th ASG / 279th BSB Bamberg:
Water is supplied via public systems. U.S. Forces provide further
treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical
results, the water supplied to Bamberg military community is considered drinkable. Bamberg
Family Housing is in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
98th ASG / 280th BSB Schweinfurt:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and via public
water systems. U.S. Forces provide further treatment of water by adding chlorine
disinfectant. Based on most recent analytical results, the water supplied to the
Schwenfurt military community is considered drinkable. Yorktown, Askren Manors and Bad
Kissingen Family Housing Areas are in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
98th ASG / 417th Kitzingen/Würzburg:
Water is supplied via public water systems. U.S. Forces provide
further treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent
analytical results, the tap water supplied to the 417th Base Support Battalion is
considered drinkable. Sulfate was detected in the water supplied to the U.S. Hospital,
Faulenberg Kaserne, Leighton Barracks and Larson Barracks at concentrations above the
acceptable levels. However, sulfate does not pose a health threat at the levels detected.
Kitzingen and Würzburg Family Housing Areas are in compliance with the lead and copper
levels.
100th ASG / 282nd BSB Hohenfels:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and via public
water systems. U.S. Forces provide further treatment of water by adding chlorine
disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical results, the water supplied to Hohenfels
military community is considered drinkable. The water samples collected at Regensburg
Family Housing, TAC Site 18 and TAC Site 29 exceeded the acceptable levels for
Kjeldahl-nitrogen; however, the concentrations do not pose a health risk. The water
samples at TAC Sites 18 and 20 also exceeded the level for turbidity. The concentrations
do not pose a health risk. All family housing areas are in compliance with the lead and
copper levels.
100th ASG / 409th BSB Vilseck:
Water is supplied via public water systems. U.S. Forces provide
further treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent
analytical results, the water supplied to Vilseck military community is considered
drinkable. Vilseck Family Housing is in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
100th ASG / 409th BSB Grafenwöhr:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and via public
water systems. U.S. Forces provide further treatment of water by adding chlorine
disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical results, the water supplied to the
Grafenwöhr military community is considered drinkable. Grafenwöhr Family Housing is in
compliance with the lead and copper levels.
104th ASG / 414th BSB Hanau:
Water is supplied via public water systems. U.S. Forces provide
further treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent
analytical results, the water supplied to Hanau military community is considered
drinkable. Analytical results of the water sampled at Argonner Kaserne/New Argonner Family
Housing exceeded the level for nickel. This result is inconsistent with the water supplied
to other areas of the Stadtwerke Hanau; therefore, this location was resampled and showed
no detectable levels of nickel. The water sampled at Coleman Village Family Housing
slightly exceeded the level for turbidity. However, these concentrations do not pose a
health threat. All family housing areas are in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
104th ASG / 222nd BSB Baumholder:
Water is supplied by a combination of U.S.-owned wells and public
water systems. U.S. Forces provide further treatment of water by adding chlorine
disinfectant. Based on the most recent analytical results, the water supplied to
Baumholder military community is considered drinkable. Smith, Wetzel, Idar Oberstein and
Neubrüke Family Housing Areas are in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
104th ASG / 221st BSB Wiesbaden:
Water is supplied via public water systems. Where possible, U.S.
Forces provide further treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the
most recent analytical results, the water supplied to Wiesbaden military community is
considered drinkable. Kastel, Crestview, Hainerberg and Aukamm Family Housing Areas are in
compliance with the lead and copper levels. Wiesbaden Army Air Base Family Housing is not
in compliance with the level for copper. The Base Support Battalion is currently replacing
the problem faucets during ongoing renovations. In the meantime, residents have been
advised to flush the cold water tap for two minutes before using for drinking or cooking
purposes.
104th ASG / 284th BSB Giessen:
Water is supplied via public water systems. U.S. Forces provide
further treatment of water by adding chlorine disinfectant. Based on the most recent
analytical results, the water supplied to Giessen military community is considered
drinkable. All family housing areas in compliance with the lead and copper levels.
BELGIUM
80th ASG Chievres:
Water is supplied via public water systems. Based on the most recent
analytical results, the water supplied to Chievres is considered drinkable. Sodium was
detected in the water supplied to the Chateau Gendebien at a concentration above the
accepted level. Sodium does not pose a health risk at the concentration detected; however,
quarterly monitoring is required and the sodium levels are reduced by performing routine
maintenance on the water softening system.
NETHERLANDS
80th ASG / 254th BSB Schinnen:
Water is supplied via public water systems. Based on most recent
analytical results, the tap water supplied to Schinnen is drinkable. One sample collected
exceeded the level for total petroleum hydrocarbons. However, a health risk assessment
determined that personnel consuming water with the detectable level were not at risk.
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