Field Testing of Water-Distribution Systems at U.S. Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in Support of an Epidemiologic Study

An epidemiologic study is being conducted to determine if there is an association between exposure to contaminated drinking water and birth defects among children of women who lived at U.S. Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina while they were pregnant during 1968–1985. More than 12,000 pregnant women may have been exposed to well water contaminated with volatile organic compounds that was used for the potable water source and distributed through water-distribution systems at Camp Lejeune. Because of the paucity of historical water-distribution system operational data, information based on the operation of present-day water-distribution systems will be used for historical reconstruction. Present-day system operations will be modeled using water-distribution system models. To calibrate the models against hydraulic and water-quality parameters, field testing is being used to gather data and information on hydraulic, fate and transport, and operational characteristics of the water-distribution systems. Field activities include: (a) recording system pressures and storage tank water levels, and (b) conducting C-factor, fireflow, tracer, and travel time tests. Because this is an ongoing and active investigation, the authors present an overview and summary of activities to date and some initial results from field-testing activities.