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MEDFORD WATER COMMISSION Workers find possible signs of lead pipes in west Medford Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jun. 20, 2016 at 5:32 PM Updated Jun 21, 2016 at 7:01 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jun. 20, 2016 at 5:32 PM Updated Jun 21, 2016 at 7:01 AM » RELATED CONTENT • More lead found in Medford's water system; commission will examine meter connections... • Medford uncovers lead pipes in water system » Social News An inspection of 317 water meters in west Medford on Monday uncovered clues at 15 houses of the possibility of lead pipes, which will require some street excavation and water quality testing. Armed with that information, the Medford Water Commission plans to dig up the street outside the homes near Columbus Avenue and Main Street to see if lead pipes, known as pigtails, connect the water service to the main line in the street. “We’re going to try to get them out as quickly as we can,” said Sara Bristol, spokeswoman for the Water Commission. On Monday, four Medford Water Commission workers began roaming the streets of west Medford, where they popped open meters, shooed away spiders and looked for galvanized pipes, which are a telltale sign that short, lead connector pipes, known as pigtails, might be located near the main water service from the street. The issue came up last week after two separate tests found high lead levels, including one in downtown Medford and another on South Pacific Avenue near Charlotte Ann Road. After looking at more water meters between Fourth and 10th streets to the east of Columbus Avenue, Water Commission crews found six galvanized “steer horns,” which split to serve two meters each, feeding a total of 12 houses. Workers also found another three single galvanized lines that go to three houses. “We’re going to go back with equipment and dig around a bit more,” Bristol said. “We are offering free testing at the homes where we find the lead pigtails.” When a galvanized pipe is found, the Water Commission provides a blue flyer to the affected homeowner that states: “It has been determined that the water service to your home is made of galvanized pipe. This indicates there is a high likelihood that a lead pigtail exists in the service line leading to your meter.” Four lead pigtails have been replaced in the past three years, according to the Water Commission. Bristol said the goal is to locate each meter on a map and describe the type of fitting found underground. Most of the fittings found on Monday were copper or some other newer style of fixture. “They want to make quick progress on mapping, particularly to find if there is galvanized pipe,” she said. The Water Commission estimates about 4,000 houses in older neighborhoods in west Medford and east Medford will have to be inspected. The houses in question have been built prior to 1946 when lead pigtails were installed, though many have been replaced over the years. Other lead fittings, including pipes with lead used to seal two sections of pipe together, may also be located under streets. Flyers are also being handed out to alert curious homeowners that the Water Commission is surveying older neighborhoods. In addition, many older homes may have lead fixtures inside the walls or in a faucet, which would be the homeowner’s responsibility to replace. The commission previously found elevated levels of lead at a hydrant near a city office building. Commission staff members say they now run the water in the building for up to 30 minutes before using it after slightly elevated levels of copper were found last year. After receiving a report of dirty water on March 15, the Water Commission conducted a test at a fire hydrant on South Pacific Highway and found lead levels exceeding 300 parts per billion. That's 20 times the EPA limit of 15 parts per billion. Prior to discoveries of its health hazards, lead was used in pigtail connectors and other pipes because it is flexible and could be shaped to fit the needed connection. High lead levels can cause health problems, including neurological development issues for young children and health problems for pregnant women. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jun. 20, 2016 at 5:32 PM Updated Jun 21, 2016 at 7:01 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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