Water quality is on the minds of many Pine Grove residents, as customers of the Pine Grove Community Services District received a letter dated Dec. 15 notifying them that elevated levels of lead had been measured at some homes in the community.

According to Russ Howard, water manager for the district, PGCSD serves approximately 350 customers, out of which four had high levels of lead. This translates to elevated levels for 1 percent of PGCSD customers.

Howard conducted the testing that revealed lead levels in excess of the state and federal action level of 15 parts per billion. He said the samples revealed levels just slightly more than 15 ppb and estimates that no measurement he took exceeded 50 ppb.

"We take tests annually and this is the first time we've been out of compliance," Howard said.

There are many factors that could contribute to elevated levels of lead in drinking water. According to Howard, the problem is probably a result of corrosion of the copper or lead pipes that make up some homes' piping systems. It is unlikely that the source of PGCSD water is the culprit, as this would most likely result in more prevalent lead contamination.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, lead may cause a range of negative health effects including behavioral problems and learning disabilities. Children six years old and younger are most at risk because their brain is still developing. Pregnant women are also at particular risk.

For infants and children, exposure to high levels of lead in drinking water can result in delays in physical or mental development. For adults, it can result in kidney problems or high blood pressure.

There are several steps people can take to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water.

The California Department of Health Services suggests flushing tap water by letting the water run for a minute or so before using it for drinking or cooking and recommends not cooking with or drinking water from the hot water tap.

If drinking water still contains lead in excess of 15 ppb after these measures have been taken, CDHS suggests purchasing or leasing a home treatment device or purchasing bottled water for drinking and cooking.

The notice sent to PGCSD customers stated that the CDHS, the EPA and the PGCSD are concerned about the presence of lead in customers' drinking water. "Under state and federal law we are required to have a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water by May 31, 2008," the notice said.

The program will include corrosion control and source water treatment as well as public education. PGCSD will also replace the portion of each affected sewer line owned by the district if lead levels exceed 15 ppb after completion of the comprehensive treatment program.

Howard said the district plans on taking more tests early next year and to monitor the sites with high lead levels every six months to ensure everything is in compliance.

A public services announcement was also released by PGCSD Dec. 15 urging Pine Grove residents to get their drinking water tested. According to the EPA, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in drinking water because lead cannot be seen, tasted or smelled when dissolved in water.

Individuals who wish to have their water tested for lead, have questions about how the district is carrying out the lead regulation requirements or want more information, call PGCSD at 296-7188.