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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 Medford police officer crashes while providing backup ... Gymnastics coach Bettman faces 25 years for recording girls undressing ... Two die in head-on crash on Highway 199 ... Medford police officer crashes while providing backup ... Gymnastics coach Bettman faces 25 years for recording girls undressing ... Two die in head-on crash on Highway 199 ... EUGENE Homeowners worried after lead found at schools Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 11, 2016 at 5:09 PM By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 11, 2016 at 5:09 PM » Social News EUGENE — After drinking water at several public school buildings in Eugene tested positive for elevated levels of lead, homeowners in the area have expressed concern that their homes might also have tainted water. About 72 percent of all homes in Lane County were built before 1986, the year the use of lead-based pipes was banned, The Register-Guard reported. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says homes built before then are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. The Eugene Water & Electric Board, which provides water for most of the area, is not required to test plumbing or water quality inside private homes. Officials suggest that if homeowners are concerned they should test their water at a state-certified lab. Board spokesman Joe Harwood said tests typically cost about $30 and a list of labs can be found on the board website. Concerned residents can also call or email the EWEB water quality office for more information. For ways to deal with lead levels other than replacing pipes, Harwood said running water can help. Water that's been sitting in pipes overnight or for long periods of time is much more likely to contain high levels of lead. "The single most important thing folks can do is flush their water pipes," Harwood said. "First thing in the morning and when you get home from work or school, let the tap run for two or three minutes or until the water is cold." Drinking water can also be contaminated with lead from municipal underground pipes that route water from water mains to water meters and into homes but Harwood said that is unlikely. "We removed all lead service lines that we know of," Harwood said. "We're pretty sure we've gotten everything." By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 11, 2016 at 5:09 PM » 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501