Vicenza, Italy -- As part of the U.S. Army's ongoing effort to ensure Soldiers, civilians and family members have access to safe drinking water, Installation Management Command decided in 2016 to sample all high-risk facilities (HRF), such as Child Development Centers, Youth Centers and Department of Defense schools. IMCOM also required testing of 100 percent of Army Family Housing units over five years for the presence of lead in drinking water.

At U.S. Army Garrison Italy, the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division has been conducting this sampling since the program was first announced. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, may cause developmental issues in children ages six and younger. Lead can be found throughout the environment not only in water, but also in lead-based paint, air, soil, household dust, food and certain types of pottery porcelain and pewter.

According to Carlos Rivero-deAguilar, division chief, DPW Environmental Division, the Environmental staff completed sampling for lead at all HRF in Vicenza and Darby military communities, as well as the required 20 percent of Army-owned family housing in Villaggio. With the exception of one tap in one building in Ederle, all test results proved satisfactory. As a precautionary measure, warning signs were posted at that building, advising occupants not to drink water from the identified faucet.

In 2017, the Army required testing of 100 percent of government-leased family housing over the same original five years. This means all testing of Army family housing, owned and leased, will be completed by December 2020.

Norman D. Stiegler, DPW director, explained that if lead is detected above the criteria, occupants will quickly be notified of the situation. Furthermore, Stiegler said, follow-up sampling will be conducted by DPW staff as soon as possible to identify the lead source and determine appropriate corrective actions. Eventually, after implementation of corrective actions, additional sampling will be conducted to confirm that corrective actions were successful.

Rivero-deAguilar explained that, just because lead is found in the drinking water above the action level, it does not mean that the children in that AFH unit are at risk. The Army criteria is even stricter than the federal criteria, and the Army will take immediate corrective action if the selected action level is exceeded. The Army's goal is to identify and correct issues before anyone experiences negative health effects.

Anyone having concerns about potential negative health effects because of exposure to lead should contact their primary health care provider. Generally, clinics and pediatric providers follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for lead screening and testing in children and infants. Providers also have the benefit of considering information about their patient's medical history, current health, and potential for exposure to other sources of lead when making medical decisions and recommendations.

Community members who have questions or would like detailed information about this water sampling effort should contact Alberto Cristoferi at DPW Environmental Division, DSN 637-8388, comm. 0444-61-8388; email at alberto.cristoferi3.ln@mail.mil. (DPW)