U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia officially declared the main water system is Fit For Human Consumption (FFHC) Feb. 28.

This means the water on the island meets all regulatory primary drinking water quality standards and personnel can now cook and drink the water that comes from the taps.

According to the notice put out by Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, you can now use water from the taps in your offices and living quarters for cooking, drinking, bathing, dish washing and maintaining oral hygiene. Based on the drinking water sample test results, the main water system has been determined to be "fit for human consumption."

The water will continue to be tested frequently to ensure the quality meets all regulations. This will ensure that the water here will be safe for consumption.

"NSF Diego Garcia conducts extensive water quality monitoring and testing as required by both Diego Garcia Final Governing Standards (DGFGS) and the U.S. Navy Overseas Drinking Water (ODW) policies," said Francis De Luna, the Installation Drinking Water Compliance Program Manager. "The latter applies to most of the U. S. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) rules and regulations to drinking water systems located on all U. S. Navy installations located overseas. The water is monitored and tested for potential contaminants like bacteria, chemicals and metals. Frequency of testing requirements range from hourly to annually."

Since the water is now consumable, there is going to be couple of changes around the island.

According to the installation's notice, all posted signs indicating "not suitable for drinking due to high total trihalomethanes" will be removed by a target date of not later than May 31. Only a few water buffaloes, the white potable water tanks, will remain to serve as hydration stations for personnel doing outdoor physical work or training. The majority will be phased out by Aug. 31.

Even though the water is FFHC, the Public Works Department will continue to look for improvements to make the water even better.

De Luna said, "a site survey will be conducted through March and April 2018 by off-island technical consultants to re-evaluate the water treatment operations and process with the purpose of identifying further improvements to ensure continuous delivery of FFHC water."

A big thanks goes out to all those who worked hard to give us clean and drinkable water and helped improved the quality of life here on Diego Garcia. For further questions, contact Francis De Luna at 370-4540 or email francis.deluna.rp@fe.navy.mil.

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