UPDATE ON THE DRINKING WATER IN PINON PINES

 

July 5, 2005

 

 

 

High Summer time temperatures are once again with us and the demand for water has risen substantially. The main wells 5 and 6 are reaching maximum capacity and it is necessary that well 7 be placed back into service. Startup testing is being completed and the Department of Health Services is being notified that well 7 will be placed in service.

 

To the new residents of Pinon Pines and as a reminder to all, well 7 has excellent production but the water is higher than the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of allowable fluoride.

 

The residents of Pinon Pines voted several years ago to increase to maximum allowable level of fluoride to 3.0 milligrams per Liter (mg/L) from the State maximum of 2. Well 7 exceeds the 3.0 mg/L so water from that well is blended with the water from other wells to keep the delivered water as close to 2 mg/L as possible.

 

Water from well 7 is pumped into the system during hours of minimum demand and the other pumps are started to purge the high fluoride concentration levels from the distribution system before demand increases each day.

 

FLUORIDE

 

The Department of Health Services requires that every three months, we provide you with the following mandatory language for fluoride since fluoride level in the water supplied by the Pinon Pines Mutual Water Company exceeds the fluoride primary MCL of 2 mg/L during certain times of the year.

 

This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might affect children under nine years of age.  At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, but children drinking water containing more than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of fluoride may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis).  The drinking water provided by the Pinon Pines Mutual Water Company has a fluoride concentration ranging from 2.5 to 3.2 mg/L.  Dental fluorosis may result in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth.  This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums.  Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth.  You may also want to contact your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products.  Older children and adults may safely drink the water. Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/L of fluoride can increase your risk of developing bone disease.

 

We do not recommend boiling water because that will increase the concentration of fluoride.

 

WATER CONSERVATION

 

This last winter had rain / snowfall of almost record levels. However, as of this date the static levels in the wells are lower than normal for this time of year. This may mean that the aquifers have not yet been recharged. This also means that water conservation is as important as ever.

By keeping demand low, the need for using water from Well 7 is minimized. The shareholders also benefit in lower costs for electricity to pump the water and maintenance costs are also lower.

 

This is a good time to review the fixtures in your homes to assure that there are no leaking faucets or toilets that run constantly. This can substantially increase water consumption.

 

Consideration needs to be given to any device or changes in your irrigation systems that will reduce consumption next year when temperatures rise.

 

Some home treatment systems are available that remove fluoride from drinking water.

Information about the available devices can be obtained by calling the California Department of Health Services Water Treatment Device Unit at (916) 449 5650 or visit the Department’s website at: www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/technical/certification/device/table.htm

 

Anyone with children under 9 years old should be offered alternate sources of drinking water or treated water to avoid the possibility of staining or pitting of their teeth from dental fluorosis.

 

If you have any questions, please contact any of the Water Board Members