Water you waiting for? Grab a glass. Recently released reports show Quantico has superior water quality. The annual consumer confidence report tested for levels of non-regulated contaminants, organic carbons, radiological substances, metals and microbiologic results and found very low levels of all five contaminates.

According to Joe Provenzano, Quantico’s Installation & Environment Division deputy assistant chief of staff, “We take water quality seriously, because it’s easy for people to associate the Marine Corps and water quality with Camp Lejeune. Because of the negative association, we rigorously test our waters from hydrants to individual water fountains in buildings. Quantico’s water has routinely met the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations to keep the water healthy and safe to consume.”

The consumer confidence report requires public water suppliers to provide information to consumers detailing multiple levels of water quality within lakes, reservoirs, and any detected contaminants. The reason for the exceptional quality is mainly a result of the location and process of where and how the water is accessed.







 







Water is obtained through different methods from all three areas of Quantico. On main side, water is obtained from Breckenridge Water Reservoir and is transported through a pipeline to a water treatment plant where a precipitator drops organic matter from the collected water. Because the reservoir is upstream, there is minimal non-regulated matter within the water. After it goes through the precipitator, the water then goes through a sand filter which filters the water from impurities such as minerals. The final step treats the water with chlorine and fluoride to disinfect it and make the water clean and safe to consume.

For supplying water at Camp Barrett, water is purchased from Stafford County. Stafford County obtains the water from Smith Lake and takes the water to a private water treatment plant and sends that water back to Quantico. “Even if the water is provided by Stafford County, once it enters our base, the water is our responsibility,” stated Provenzano.

Water at Camp Upshur is obtained through water wells on the installation. The water is tested by the Installation & Environment Division, and once the water is filtered for impurities, it is supplied throughout the camp.

Provenzano concluded, “Dealing with water is a consistent challenge. Because it is used frequently and consumed on a daily basis, many issues could come up. Luckily, we have licensed professionals working at each water treatment facility. We constantly take samples of water from each installation and send them to the Virginia Department of Health to ensure that the quality of water is approved. If something goes awry, we immediately report it to the Department of Health and make sure that the water is back to top quality again.”

For this year's report and previous water quality reports please visit http://www.quantico.marines.mil/OfficesStaff/GFInstallationandEnvironment/NaturalResourcesEnvironmentalAffairs/NREADocuments.aspx