Homes Retested for Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

All of the City’s more than 15,000 water customers will soon see a lead-alert message on their monthly water bills and will receive an educational brochure containing information about how to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.

Courtesy: bnl.gov

(ALBANY, Ore.) - Nine of 60 Albany homes that were retested in June 2007 for lead and copper in the drinking water from their taps exceeded the EPA action level for lead in drinking water, according to Jim Young, Water Distribution Supervisor for the City of Albany.

“The City has found no indication of lead in City’s water distribution system; the problem is with the plumbing in the homes,” Young said.

Homes constructed between 1970 and 1985 that have copper plumbing with lead solder and homes that have brass faucets or valves are at a higher risk of elevated lead levels in their drinking water from their tap.

The Environmental Protection Agency tests target homes that were built from 1983-85, when lead solder was commonly used in plumbing. The Albany homes with high tests were constructed between 1971 and 1981. Most of the homes are in east or southeast Albany.

The Environmental Protection Agency allows up to 0.015 milligrams per liter or 15 parts per billion of lead in drinking water. The nine samples measured from 0.0157 to 0.0524 milligrams per liter. Tests are done at taps that have not been used for at least six hours. Turning on a tap and letting the water run for a couple of minutes normally clears any lead buildup.

In April 2007, the City of Albany installed equipment at the Albany-Millersburg Water Treatment Plant to adjust the pH level in the water leaving the plant. The pH in the water distribution system in June 2007 was between 7.4 to 7.5. The pH will be adjusted to 8.3 to solve the problem with elevated levels of lead found in some home plumbing. The Environmental Protection Agency standard for pH is a range of 6.5 to 8.5.

All of the City’s more than 15,000 water customers will soon see a lead-alert message on their monthly water bills and will receive an educational brochure containing information about how to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.

City officials say they continue to take this problem seriously and will continue to search for a remedy to the elevated lead levels. The City will test water for any customer who is concerned about lead in the drinking water. To arrange for a test or for more information, contact Jim Young at (541) 917-7609.