No contact order lifted at Arnold Published Jan. 30, 2011 By Jason Austin Arnold AFB, Tenn. -- The commander of Arnold Air Force Base has lifted the no contact order for the base water supply after glycol levels dropped below one part per million throughout the base effective mid-day Sunday. The no drink order remains in effect until further notice and drinking water has been prepositioned in preparation for a large segment of the workforce returning to work Monday. It is anticipated that the no drink order will be lifted Monday. Late Friday, AEDC Commander, Michael Panarisi, issued the no drink/no contact order for employees based on ethylene glycol contamination detected throughout the base water supply. The building with the highest concentrations was quickly isolated and crews began flushing the building water systems throughout the base. Therewas never any danger to surrounding communities, AEDC's Arnold Village housing area, UTSI, or the Tennessee National Guard range because their water sources are separate from the industrial area. Ethylene glycol is a biodegradable organic compound, and is expected to fully degrade in the base water treatment plant and retention pond prior to the water being released back into Woods Reservoir. The base conducts frequent checks to ensure the safety of the water flow into the reservoir. We'll provide more information as it becomes available. Employees are encouraged to visit the Arnold Air Force Base website, www.arnold.af.mil, for updates.