The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a "Lead and Copper Rule" requiring water systems to study their water, reduce corrosion of home plumbing and the amount of lead and copper people ingest.

To comply with this regulation, in 1992 we began taking samples and testing water from more than 100 homes. Test results showed lead and copper levels were near the level at which a water system must take action to reduce corrosion, even though this level might not be high enough to cause harm.

We conducted a Corrosion Control Optimization Study and found we needed to add a chemical, like sodium hydroxide, which raises the pH of our water from its natural 7.0 to a less corrosive 7.5, to help control lead and copper corrosion. We built a corrosion control plant to accomplish this and operations began in the spring of 1997. 

Another round of water samples were taken and tested in October 1997. Test results showed we reduced the levels of lead and copper in our water to half of previous levels.

Today, we continue monitoring pH and lead and copper levels to help prevent lead and copper corrosion.