Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. -- Arnold Air Force Base’s water system recently violated a Tennessee Department of Environmental and Conservation (TDEC) drinking water standard. This violation was not an emergency. However, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation.
Arnold AFB routinely monitors for the presence of drinking water contaminants on base. During the March. 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, compliance period, Arnold AFB water systems running annual average ratio for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal was calculated to be 0.89. This is below the required value of 1.00 for TOC removal set by TDEC.
What should I do?
- Nothing. Currently, there is nothing you need to do, and the water remains safe for human consumption. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours via email, social media, or distribution method.
- However, if you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water.
What does this mean?
This was not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 hours, as required by TDEC.
TOC is a measure of the number of organic compounds, such as decaying plant matter or natural organic materials, that are in the water. High levels of TOC can react with disinfectants used during the water treatment process, creating potentially harmful disinfectant byproducts in the water. Disinfectants are used to minimize the risk of microbial contaminants in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency considers microbial contaminants as the greatest risk to the public. All of our values for disinfectant byproducts continue to fall below the Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL).
What is being done?
AEDC is evaluating additional treatment processes, such as increasing the use of activated carbon and increasing our TOC monitoring frequency. Additionally, we are continuing to monitor our disinfectant byproduct levels to ensure these values fall below the MCL. Public Notices will continue to be issued each quarter until the running annual average for TOC removal is 1.00 or higher.
For more information, call 931-454-6232.