5 sailors reported sickened as Navy continues 'flushing and testing' water on USS Nimitz

SAN DIEGO — Five sailors have reported illnesses to medical staff aboard the USS Nimitz following contamination of the warship's potable water supply with jet fuel.

The Bremerton-based aircraft carrier's leaders are encouraging others on board to "report to medical immediately if they exhibit any illness or injury that could potentially be caused," by the water, said Cmdr. Sean Robertson, spokesman for the Navy's San Diego-based Third Fleet.

"These Sailors are being closely monitored by health officials," he said. "If we receive any additional reports of potentially contaminated water, we will immediately investigate and take appropriate action to safeguard the crew."

The Nimitz remains moored at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego while the Navy attempts to fix the contamination, which was reported Sept. 16. The crew has been getting city of San Diego water pumped aboard since Sept. 17. Robertson said bottled water is now being provided at no cost to the crew.

Robertson said the Navy has found the source of the problem to be one of Nimitz's 26 potable water tanks. That tank, plus three nearby tanks, have been isolated from the Nimitz potable water system. "Flushing and testing" of the water supply is ongoing, Robertson said.

The ship began an exercise known as COMPTUEX, or Composite Training Unit Exercise, on Sept. 24, he said. The training and certification is a final hurdle before the ship is slated to go on global deployment later this year. The Navy is still determining how the water contamination will affect the overall schedule, Robertson said.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Navy trying to fix USS Nimitz's water after 5 reported sick