High Levels of Lead Found in Samples at 4 Tacoma Homes

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Tacoma Water officials say testing has revealed high levels of lead at water lines leading to four homes and that about 1,700 customers may be affected.

The News Tribune reports that the city informed the state Department of Health about the high levels of lead on Wednesday.

Officials say the source of the problem is sections of lead pipe, called goosenecks, that connect the water main to water meters outside homes. However, one of the four homes tested the week of April 5 did not have a lead gooseneck and still had high levels of lead.

Tacoma Public Utilities official Chris McMeen says lead gooseneck connections are found mostly at homes built in the early 20th century. City records of where the goosenecks were installed aren't clear.