Fairchild drinking water safe Published March 13, 2008 By Maj. Raymond Reser 92nd Medical Support Squadron FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Concerns have arisen around the effects of medication disposal on water quality around the country; yet, you should feel comforted that the drinking water at Fairchild is safe. Note, though, that flushing medications down the toilet or sink is not safe because trace amounts of the medications may be carried directly into our drinking water. The best option for medication disposal is directly in the garbage. To dispose of a prescription, make sure that the medication is taken out of the vial and destroy the prescription label. Mix the medication with coffee grounds, kitty litter, or any other unpalatable substance and place the contents in an unmarked can or sealed bag. Appropriate medication disposal will help ensure safe drinking water. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants; however, the presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Water provided by the Fairchild public water system is safe to drink and meets all requirements set by the Safe Drinking Water Act and Washington Department of Ecology. For more information concerning the water safety at Fairchild, contact the Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight at 247-2391. If you have questions about medication disposal, contact the Pharmacy at 247-5567.