Our Drinking Water is Safe

Editors Note: The following appeared in the Center Director’s Technical Center Highlights on Monday, August 20.

First, I want to reiterate the various messages stating that the drinking water emergency alert is cancelled - our drinking water is safe for consumption. Last Friday, the Technical Center received routine test results indicating a positive for E. Coli at a sample tap in the Research and Development Area. Ten confirmation samples were immediately collected Friday for repeat analysis, in accordance with environmental regulations. As an interim precautionary measure, a diverse response team was immediately activated to handle deploying an alternate drinking water supply, and other safety and communications aspects of the situation. Led by Howard Kimpton, Carleen Houston, and Walt Vernon, the team obtained and placed bottled water dispensing stations throughout the Center and its tenant facilities, and communicated the emergency notification alert through multiple means to ensure everyone was advised. Ten supplemental precautionary samples were collected and submitted for analysis the following Monday. The results of all confirmation and precautionary samples were negative. You will see that the bottled water and dispensers are removed. I greatly appreciate the time and professional commitment of the response team in resolving this situation. The team was extremely proactive. They went above and beyond the call of duty, and took every extra precaution to ensure the health and safety of our employees and visitors. Well done.