Important information about your drinking water Published Feb. 19, 2015 ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla -- Altus Air Force Base Has Violated a Drinking Water Standard Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Even though this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct the situation. Testing results we received for Second Quarter 2014 through First Quarter 2015 show that our system exceeds the standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for total trihalomethanes. The standard or MCL for total trihalomethanes is 0.080 mg/l. It is determined by averaging all the samples collected at each sampling location for the past 12 months. The level of total trihalomethanes averaged at our system's locations was 0.219 and 0.115 mg/l. What should I do? You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. Although the health risks associated with our levels of total trihalomethanes are low, there are steps you can take to reduce these in your own drinking water. The easiest and most cost-effective way to reduce total trihalomethane levels in the drinking water is to treat it with an activated charcoal filter (for example, a Brita faucet-type system). There are many commercial options for these, and they are easy to use. Another more expensive option is to install a reverse osmosis system in your house, which may require landlord approval if you do not own your home. People with severely compromised immune systems, people with an infant, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. What does this mean? This is not an emergency. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. What is being done? The City of Altus is working to complete renovations to the current water treatment system, which will provide Altus Air Force Base with reduced levels of TTHMs. The City of Altus hopes to have all renovations completed by February 2016. Altus Air Force Base has also hired an engineering firm to help investigate ways that the base can improve this situation. We anticipate resolving the problem by the end of February 2016. For more information, please contact Daniel Burdick at (580) 481-5494 or 301 N. 1st St Altus AFB, OK 73523. Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. This notice is being sent to you by Altus Air Force Base. State Water System ID#: OK3003303. Date distributed: 2/27/2015.