Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
2023 Water Quality Report
O’Donnell Military Family Housing
Okinawa, Japan
Introduction
This is an annual report on the quality of tap water delivered to O’Donnell
Military Family Housing, Okinawa, Japan. The purpose of this report is toprovide you, our customers, with general information about the quality ofwater you drink. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit theamount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits forcontaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for
public health. In Japan, the Government of Japan (GOJ) and the United States
Forces Japan, also regulate the quality of drinking water through the JapaneseEnvironmental Governing Standards (JEGS) which apply the EPA standards
to our water system.
What is a Consumer Confidence Report?
In 1996, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to require that allcommunity water systems in the United States deliver to their customers abrief annual water quality report called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
Is my water safe?
Our water is safe to drink. No one is interested more in the high quality of ourdrinking water than the 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron,
Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight. We are committed to providing safe
drinking water to you at all times. Our routine monitoring program, which
follows water quality standards and monitoring requirements set forth in the
JEGS, enables us to maintain optimal water quality on O’Donnell Military
Family Housing.

travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally
occurring minerals and, in some cases, naturally-occurring radioactive
material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals orfrom human activity.
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage
treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, andwildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturallyoccurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic
wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides
and herbicides may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban
stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants,
including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, are by-products ofindustrial processes, petroleum production, and can also come from gas
stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
Radioactive
contaminants can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas
production and mining activities.
O’Donnell Air Base Water System Information
The O’Donnell Military Family Housing drinking water system is operated
and maintained by the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron. The water is pumped
from the Ishikawa water treatment plant. The water supply to this treatment
plant comes from the West Line River, Taiho River, Henan River, and Genka
River as well as the Kanna Dam and Yamashiro Dam.

Do I need to take special precautions?
Although our water is safe to drink and meets all water quality standards, somepeople are more susceptible to contaminants in drinking water than the general
population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer andundergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants,
people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, andinfants can be particularly at risk. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines onappropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and othermicrobial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline(800–426–4791).

Monitoring of your drinking water
The 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, Bioenvironmental
Engineering Flight is responsible for drinking water monitoring of Air Forceowned or managed installations, including military family housing on
Okinawa. We are committed to providing safe drinking water to you at all
times. We use only EPA and GOJ approved laboratory methods to analyze
your drinking water.
Trained personnel collect water samples from the
distribution system and resident’s taps. Samples are then shipped to an
accredited laboratory where a full spectrum of water quality analyses isperformed. The Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS) allows us
to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because theconcentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of ourdata, though representative, are more than one year old.

Are contaminants in my drinking water?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected tocontain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence ofcontaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Moreinformation about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained bycalling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). As water

We at the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight along with the Water andFuels System Maintenance Flight are proud of the opportunity to provide youwith clean drinking water. We work around the clock to provide top quality
drinking water to every tap. We ask that all our customers continue to help usprotect and conserve our water sources and contact us if you have concerns
about the safety or dependability of your drinking water.

For More Information Contact:
18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron,
Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight
DSN: 634-4752
Commercial: 098-938-1111 ext. 634-4752
基地内：634-4752

18th Civil Engineer Squadron,
Customer Service
DSN: 634-2424
Commercial: 098-938-1111 ext. 634-2424
基地内：634-2424

基地外から：098-938-1111 ext. 634-4752

基地外から：098-938-1111 ext. 634-2424

2023 Water Quality Table
TABLE 1: REGULATED CONTAMINANTS1
This table summarizes the monitoring results for all detected regulated contaminantsViolation?
Yes/NoUnits

Highest Level Detected

Limit(MCL or MRDL)

Goal(MCLG or
MRDLG)

Barium

No

ppm

0.006

2

2

Nitrate

No

ppm

0.154

10

10

Nitrate + Nitrite

No

ppm

0.309

10

10

Inorganic Contaminants

Inorganic Contaminants

Lead4
Copper4

Violation?
Yes/No
No
No

Units

90th
Percentile
Results

Number of
Sites
ExceedingAL

Action Level5

Goal(MCLG)

ppb

0.5

0

15

0

ppm

0.005

0
Results

pCi/L

1.10 (0.03 – 2.17)

15

0

pCi/L

0.78 (0.22 – 1.24)

50Erosion of natural deposits

50*

0Decay of natural and man-made deposits ofcertain minerals that are radioactive and may
emit forms of radiation known as photons andbeta radiation

Limit(MCL or MRDL)≥ 2 positive
samples/month
Limit(MCL or MRDL)

Goal(MCLG)
0 positive
samplesGoal(MCLG)

No

Radium 226 and 228

No

Beta/photon emitters6

Yes
TABLE 4

pCi/L

1.50 (0.59 – 2)Microorganisms2

Violation?
Yes/NoUnits

Highest Level Detected

Disinfection byproductTotal Trihalomethanes(TTHMs)3
Halo-Acetic Acids (HAA5)3

No

N/A

0 positive samples

Violation?
Yes/NoUnits

ResultsNo

ppm

0.19 (0.02-0.48)

4

4

Units

Results

Limit(MCL or MRDL)

Goal(MCLG)

ppb

46 (33 – 55)

80

N/A

ppb

3 (0.1 – 5.7)

60

N/A

No

Corrosion from household plumbing systems,
erosion of natural deposits

1.3

Gross Alpha

Violation?
Yes/NoNo

Typical Source of Contamination

Goal(MCLG)

Units

Chlorine

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching septic
tanks/sewage; erosion of natural deposits

1.3Radionuclides5

Disinfectant

Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge frommetal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits

Limit(MCL or MRDL)

Violation?
Yes/NoTotal Coliform Bacteria

Typical Source of Contamination

Action Level 5
Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals
that are radioactive and may emit a form ofradiation known as alpha radiation

Action Level 5
Naturally present in the environment
Action Level 5
Water additive used to control microbes
Action Level 5

Byproducts of drinking water disinfection

TABLE 2: UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS
This table summarizes the monitoring results for unregulated contaminantsViolation?
Contaminant
Units
Highest Level Detected
Yes/NoSodium

NA

ppm

17

Limit
(MCL or MRDL)

Typical Source of Contamination

N/A

N/A

TABLE 3: UNDETECTED CONTAMINANTS1
This table summarizes the monitoring results for undetected contaminants
Inorganic Contaminants

Synthetic Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds

Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Thallium, Fluoride, Mercury, Cyanide, Selenium.
Dioxin. Heptachlor epoxide, Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate, Di (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Hexachlorobenzene, Simazine, Alachlor, Atrazine, Propachlor,
Metribuzin. Butachlor, Aldrin, Benzo[a]pyrene, Metolachlor, gamma-BHC (Lindane), Dieldrin, Endrin, Methoxychlor, Heptachlor,
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Diquat, 1,2-Dibromoethane, 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane, PCB-1016, PCB-1221, PCB-1232, PCB-1242, PCB-1248
PCB-1254, PCB-1260, Chlordane (technical), Toxaphene, Glyphosate, EDB/PCBs/Glyphosate, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), Dalapon, Dicamba, Dinoseb
Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, 2,4-D, Endothall, Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, Methiocarb
Methomyl, 1-Naphthol, Oxamyl
Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, o-Dichlorobenzene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane, Dichloromethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,2,4-Trichloro-benzene, 1,2-Dichloropropane, Ethylbenzene, Monochlorobenzene,
para-Dichlorobenzene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Toluene, Vinyl chloride, Xylene (total)

Disinfection byproductBromateRadionuclides

Uranium

Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS), 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS), 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS),
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA), 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonan e-1-sulfonic acid, Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid HFPODA), Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA), Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA), Perfluoro(4-methoxybutanoic acid),
Perfluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA), Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA),
Unregulated Contaminants
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA),
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, (PFPeS)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoac etic acid (NEtFOSAA), Nmethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA), Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA), and Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
Notes: 1. Monitoring results for these analytes are based on samples taken in 2023 and Synthetic Organic Compounds were evaluated during 2022.
2. Monitoring for Cryptosporidium and disinfectant contact times (i.e. CT values) are not applicable as treated water is purchased from host nation water treatment plants.
3. TTHM and HAA5 results are based on the highest locational annual running average.
4. Lead and Copper Action Level is based on the 90th percentile value – i.e., no more than 10% of all sampled taps should exceed the AL.
5. Radionuclide results are based on the average of 3 quarters tested in 2022 and one in 2023. Represented as an annual average and range of detection from lowest to highest.
6. Includes tritium and strontium-90.

*. The MCL for beta particles is 4mrem/year. EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles. Because the beta particle results were below 50 pCi/L, no testingfor individual beta particle constituents was required.

TABLE 4: MONITORING VIOLATION
Monitoring Violation
Missed sample for
Beta Particle andPhoton Radioactivity

Explanation
One of the quarterly results for Strontium-90, a
component of Beta Particle and Photon
Radioactivity, was not obtained in 2023 due to alab error. However, monitoring was accomplishedduring the three remaining quarters and revealed
that the system is in full compliance for thesecontaminants.

Health Effects
Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit
forms of radiation known as photons and beta
radiation. Some people who drink watercontaining beta and photon emitters in excessof the MCL over many years may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.

Steps Taken to Correct the Violation
Bioenvironmental Engineering has updated
quality control processes to reduce theprobability of missing sampling events anddocumentation in the future. The system is infull compliance, there are no health risks as aresult of the missed sample, and no further
actions need to be taken by the consumers.

ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment
technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary forcontrol of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no know or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect thebenefits of the use of disinfectant to control microbial contamination.
NA: Not applicable.
ppm: Parts per million or milligrams per liter (one part per million is equivalent to one penny in 10 thousand dollars).
ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms per liter (one part per billion is equivalent to one penny in 10 million dollars).
ppt: Parts per trillion or nanograms per liter (one part per trillion is equivalent to one penny in 10 billion dollars).
pCi/L: picocuries per liter, a common measure of radioactivity.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the water sometimes look rusty?
Rusty or reddish tinted water may occur because of a sudden change inpressure due to flushing of a fire hydrant, etc. Iron causes the discolorationand is not a health risk. The normal flow of water will usually clear themains within two hours or less. Check your water by flushing a toilet threetimes every 15 to 20 minutes. If you live on or near the end of a long
distribution line, additional flushing may be required. Galvanized iron pipes
or fittings within a home or building may also cause discolored water.
Running the water will clear the piping system. If the hot water is rusty, thewater heater may need to be flushed.
What is a Boil Water Notice?
Any time a drop in pressure occurs from a water main break or system
maintenance, the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight issues a Boil Water
Notice and immediate sampling requirements go into effect. Boil Water
Notices in these cases are precautionary and do NOT necessarily mean that
contamination has been detected or is suspected. In other cases, if coliform
is detected as part of our routine sampling program, a Boil Water notice will
also go into effect as a precaution while corrective measures are taken. In
this case, resampling continues until the corrective measures are completed.
Is it okay to drink from a garden hose?
The water supplied to the water hose is safe, but a garden hose is treated withspecial chemicals that can contain bacteria and other substances.
Will using a home water filter make the water safer or healthier?
Most filters improve the taste, smell and appearance of water, but they do
not necessarily make the water safer or healthier. If you use filters, pleasekeep in mind that they require regular maintenance and replacement. Failure
to perform maintenance and replacement can result in unsafe water.
What can I do to improve the quality of my drinking water?
Running the cold water tap for 30 seconds prior to use helps to flush out
small amounts of metals that may leach into water that has been sitting in
metal pipes overnight. Water used for consumption should always comefrom the cold-water tap. Hot water has a higher potential to leach metals
into the water.
How will I know if my water is not safe to drink?
Your water supplier must notify you if your water does not meet standards
or if there is a waterborne disease emergency. The notice will describe any
precautions you need to take, such as boiling your water.
I don’t like the taste/smell/appearance of my tap water.
What’s wrong with it?
Even when water meets standards, you may still object to its taste, smell, or
appearance. Taste, smell and appearance are also known as aesthetic
characteristics and do not pose adverse health effects. Common complaints
about water aesthetics include temporary cloudiness (typically caused by air

bubbles) or chlorine taste (which can be improved by letting the water standexposed to the air).
Does the water system have a lead problem?
The Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS) states 90 percent ofsamples must be below the action level. The water system met this criterionin 2023. The water system will continue to be sampled for lead, and thenext samples will be taken between June and September 2026. If present,
elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for
pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily
from materials and components associated with service lines and homeplumbing. O’Donnell Military Family Housing is responsible for providing
high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials usedin plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several
hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap
for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If
you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have yourwater tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, andsteps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
What are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances andwhere do they come from?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of manmade chemicals. PFAS have been used in a variety of industries and consumer
products around the globe, including in the U.S., since the 1940s. PFAS havebeen used to make coatings and products that are used as oil and water repellents
for carpets, clothing, paper packaging for food, and cookware. They are also
contained in some foams such as aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, used forfighting petroleum fires at airfields and in industrial fire suppression processes.
PFAS compounds are persistent in the environment, and some are persistent in
the human body – meaning they do not break down and they can accumulate
over time.
Is there a regulation for PFAS in drinking water?
In May 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a lifetime
health advisory (LHA) level at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for individual or
combined concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) andperfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Both compounds are types of PFAS. On
10 April 2024, the EPA published new drinking water standards for certain
PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). AF is reviewing the EPA’s
new rule now and will incorporate these standards into future sampling andanalysis efforts.
Out of an abundance of caution, DoD pursued PFAS testing and response
actions beyond EPA SDWA requirements. In 2020, the DoD established apolicy to monitor drinking water for 17 PFAS compounds at all service owned
and operated water systems. If results confirmed the drinking water contained
PFOA

and PFOS at individual or combined concentrations greater than 70ppt,
water systems quickly took action to reduce exposures. While not a SDWA
requirement, in 2023, DoD improved upon its 2020 PFAS drinking water
monitoring policy by expanding the list of PFAS compounds monitored to29, implementing continued monitoring of systems with detectable PFAS
over thelaboratory Method Reporting Limits (MRL) and requiring initial mitigation
planning actions. Similarly in 2020, Japan set a temporary PFOA and PFOS
individual or combined target of 50 ppt.
Has O’Donnell Military Family Housing tested its water for PFAS?
Yes, in Nov 2023 samples were collected from Kadena’s point of entry as it
is considered a representative point for the installation. We are informing
you that PFAS were not detected in your water system. Drinking water
testing results were below the Method Detection Limit (MDL) for all 29
PFAS compounds covered by the sampling method, including PFOA andPFOS. In accordance with current DoD policy, the water system will beresampled every two years for your continued protection.
Additionally, the Chatan and Ishikawa Water Treatment Plants routinely
monitor for PFAS and post the results on the Okinawa Prefectural EnterpriseBureau website at
http://www.eb.pref.okinawa.jp.e.sa.hp.transer.com/opeb/309/619.

Is a Japanese translation of the CCR available?/ CCR の⽇本語訳は⼊⼿可能ですか?
All sections of the CCR are written in English. Please contact the
Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 634-4752 for Japanese translation.
このレポートには、飲料⽔に関する重要な情報が含まれています。
誰かに翻訳してもらうか、理解できる⼈と話してください
弟１８航空医療中隊、生物環境工学部（BEF）は、沖縄にある空軍所有の施設及びその他の関連施設、更には基地内住宅の水道飲料水のモニタ
リングを空軍規則により行なっています。BEF はモニタリングの水道水分析結果を消費者信頼度レポート（CCR)で利用者及び関係者に報告しています。
CCR の全てが英文訳の文書です。日本語訳希望者は BEF までご連絡下さい。基地内： 634-4752 基地外から：098-938-1111 ext. 634-4725
Where can I go for additional information?
This CCR will be posted on the Kadena AB homepage athttps://www.kadena.af.mil. Select About Us Tab, choose Consumer Confidence
Reports.
How can I get involved?
We encourage consumers to participate in decision-making events regarding
source water assessment and protection programs, for more information contact
Bioenvironmental Engineering at 634-4752.