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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Respected Medford firefighter's life cut short by 2010 Oak Knoll fire ... John Thiry, from Oak Knoll to today ... Taking it to the top ... Respected Medford firefighter's life cut short by 2010 Oak Knoll fire ... John Thiry, from Oak Knoll to today ... Taking it to the top ... PUBLIC WORKS Talent tests water for lead, finds no problems Jacksonville will re-test its lines soon Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Two towns that get their water from Medford Water Commission have not encountered problems with lead or copper recently. Tests of 24 houses in Talent during July found no levels outside guidelines. Jacksonville will test its water later this summer, but previous tests have been within limits with only one exception. Every three years, the municipalities must test to ensure that the water in residences does not exceed Environmental Protection Agency standards for the presence of lead or cooper. Talent is hooked up to Medford Water Commission’s supply through the Talent-Ashland-Phoenix system, which supplies water to all three cities. Jacksonville is connected independently of TAP. Besides testing in town, Talent tested at a hydrant in the Medford Water Commission’s system just outside the TAP regional pumping station on Samike Drive near South Stage Road. That sample did show a problem, but Public Works Director Brett Marshall said the hydrant may not have been property flushed before testing. Crews flushed the hydrant for 15 minutes Monday and came back to sample Tuesday to retest. Talent also tested a hose bib inside the TAP facility. Test results won’t be known for three to four weeks. Jacksonville will conduct the tests required by the EPA this summer. The city has tested the same 10 houses for a number of years, said City Administrator Jeff Alvis. “We’ll conduct tests on public drinking fountains, too,” said Alvis, who has been with the city for 24 years and in the Public Works Department before becoming administrator in 2011. When he started working, EPA required testing of 20 homes in town. The city usually tests the day after the Medford Water Commission does its required EPA testing so that tests come from the same batches of water that are moving through the Medford system, said Alvis. During his tenure, Alvis has only seen one slightly elevated lead level result come back. He recalled that the sample came from an outside faucet that may have been used less than indoor fixtures. Most of the main water lines in the city were replaced with PVC pipe during 1994 and 1995, said Alvis. In addition, all meters have been switched out in recent years to allow for radio monitoring by workers of water consumption. Talent conducted its testing for lead and copper during July. “We pulled 24 samples in Talent. They all came back well under EPA limits,” said Marshall. “We just got the results about two weeks ago.” “We deliver the water exactly the way it comes to us from Medford,” said Marshall, who has been with the city for 14 years. Since working for Talent, he hasn’t seen a reading that exceeded EPA levels. The city receives few complaints about water quality, said Marshall. “Most of the complaints are about a green stain in a sink or the water looks cloudy,” said Marshall. “Usually it’s because of some aeration problem. As of yet, we haven't beem able to come to a conclusion that there is any (problem) in Talent.” The city is required to test 20 houses but did 24 this year after four customers voiced concerns about lead. Those being tested are given a sample bottle to fill and instructions about test procedures. The bottles are then picked up the next day. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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