Press Release: Boil water advisory remains in effect at Cannon AFB

Santa Fe, NM –The New Mexico Environment Department’s Drinking Water Bureau has issued a “boil water advisory” for Cannon Air Force Base.

NMED issued the advisory on April 21 after bacteriological contamination that exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level for E. coli was discovered in drinking water at the Cannon AFB.

NMED requires Cannon to notify water consumers of the finding. This advisory only applies to the drinking water at the base and does not extend to any of the other surrounding water systems.

Consumers of water at the base are advised to boil the water for five minutes before drinking, cooking,

dishwashing and bathing.

The presence of E. coli in water indicates that the water may have been in contact with sewage or animal wastes, and could contain disease-causing organisms.

Most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However, a positive test for E. coli in the drinking water supply may indicate the presence of dangerous strains of E. coli or other disease-causing organisms. These types of organisms may cause severe gastrointestinal illness and, in rare cases, death.

Children, the elderly and immuno-compromised individuals are at an increased risk for illness. Actions have been initiated to disinfect the water system and identify possible sources of contamination, establish acceptable disinfection, and flush out the water system. NMED’s Drinking Water Bureau will continue to provide assistance to the water system and will test the water until no further threat of contamination remains.

For more information, call NMED Communications Director Marissa Stone Bardino at (505) 827-0314 or (505) 231-0475 or Mike Huber, Drinking Water Bureau Compliance Manager, at (505) 476-8638.