Alaska - Fluorination malfunction causes unsafe drinking water at Fort Richardson

Fluorination malfunction causes unsafe drinking water at Fort Richardson
By Andrew JensenAlaska
Journal of Commerce
A mechanical malfunction with the fluoride distribution system at the Fort Richardson water treatment plant rendered the water supply unsafe for drinking Wednesday morning.

Alarms at the plant alerted workers that fluoride levels were higher than normal. Messages were sent to people living and working at Fort Richardson to not drink the water, according to public affairs officer Bob Hall.

The water is safe for bathing and washing clothes, Hall said, and bottled water has been distributed to the two schools on the base, its daycare center, dining facilities and other points.

The fluorination system has been shut off and the water is being flushed through water mains and fire hydrants around the base, which hosts anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 people.

Hall said officials will meet again Wednesday afternoon to monitor the repair progress and current estimates are for the problem to be fixed within 24 hours