(d) Reporting operation data and test results to provide an accurate
record of treatment efficiency.
(3) Investigate. The surgeon of a command (Director of Health Services of
an installation) exercises supervisory responsibilities through the supporting preventive
medicine unit or the medical department activity (MEDDAC) preventive medicine
activity. The unit and activity have assigned sanitary engineers and environmental
science officers who are qualified to conduct investigations of wastewater treatment
facilities and make recommendations to the operating engineer personnel. The
environmental health specialist assists the professional members by collecting samples
for analysis and recording observations made during investigations.
(4) Follow Federal, state, and local health laws. The sanitation problems of
civilian communities near military installations are of considerable importance. The post
may also be located on land not owned by the Federal Government. Therefore, the
surgeon of a command must keep abreast of not only Federal, but also state and local
health laws pertaining to stream pollution and waste disposal in areas occupied by the
command he serves. By knowing pertinent laws, the surgeon can help prevent creation
of nuisances and health hazards and unlawful disposal of wastewater and other wastes.
d. Commander. The commander is responsible for health and welfare of the
soldiers under his care. He must ensure that the facilities and surrounding area or field
conditions are as safe or sanitary as possible. The commander must ensure that his
field sanitation team is trained and trains unit personnel to follow established
procedures in the construction and operation of waste facilities so as to dispose of
waste properly.
e. Field Sanitation Team. The field sanitation team (FST) is responsible for the
basic sanitation and for the protection and training of unit personnel in waste disposal.
The FST supervises the construction and maintenance of garbage pits, soakage pits,
field latrines, and field urinals. The team assists the commander in inspections of
sanitation and waste disposal.
f. Individual Soldiers. Each soldier is responsible for personal hygiene and for
following established sanitation and waste disposal policy and procedures.
1-4.
PREVIOUS PURIFICATION PROCESSES
Streams and other natural bodies of water are capable of self-purification using
the natural settling and anaerobic and aerobic decomposition. Most wastewater plant
processes are about the same as natural processes, except that they are confined,
controlled, and intensified. For many years, some municipal wastewater systems were
essentially transportation systems by which raw wastewater was carried from the point
of origin to a body of water where it was disposed of by dilution. Presumably, the
degree of dilution was considered sufficient to permit natural purification. In practice,
however, the amount of pollution discharged into natural bodies of water was far in
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