Difficult getting lead out

By CHRISTIAN S. MADORE
Staff Writer

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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MANCHESTER -- There's no solution in sight for the lead problem at Lakehurst Acres, Maine's Drinking Water Program director said Monday.

"The samples done last week were just higher than the week before," said Carlton Gardner, who's been working to solve the problem since it surfaced almost two months ago.

Because lead levels in the water are still in the hundreds of parts per billion -- the federal limit is around 15 parts per billion -- property manager C & C Realty said it continues to provide bottled water to residents.

A ban on consumption of the affected water continues through this week, C & C's Cathy Whitney said. Residents can bathe or wash dishes with the water, but should not drink it.

The problem started back in August, when C & C Realty told residents they should see a doctor after water tests showed lead levels more than 100 times higher than federal limits.

The increased levels were detected after the property managers installed an ion exchange system to help eliminate arsenic. Arsenic flows naturally in the ground water of that area of Pond Road, and so enters the complex's well water.

But after the installation of that system, low alkaline levels caused lead solder in the pipes to leach into the water, causing the abnormal levels, Gardner said.

He said a water quality agency in New Jersey then recommended installation of a pH balancing system to counteract the problem -- a system Gardner doubted would be effective enough.

Initially, that seemed to work -- bringing lead levels down to about 280 parts per billion, from 540 parts per billion originally.

But the latest increase in lead has everyone baffled.

Lead solder was used in plumbing in nearly every home until the mid-1980s. Lakehurst Acres was built some time around 1980.

Although all older homes have lead in their pipes, Gardner said neither he nor any experts have ever seen this severe a problem.

"Everybody we've talked to about this has been quite puzzled," Gardner said. "We're looking at alternatives to corrosion control," he said.

One idea they are considering is a calcite contactor, in which water is run through a barrel filled with lime, causing calcium to run through the pipes and coat them, he said.

That, in theory, would keep lead from entering the water stream, he said.

Gardner said another round of tests should be available Friday, but because a calcite contactor has not been installed yet, he said he doesn't expect any drastic improvements by then.

Christian S. Madore -- 623-3811, Ext. 435

cmadore@centralmaine.com