PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
To ensure the health and safety of our community, Marine Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) conducts routine water quality monitoring across the installation. The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and MCAGCC are concerned about lead in your drinking water. Recently, the SWRCB informed MCAGCC of a lead action level exceedance limited to four sinks across three buildings not within base housing. Since other faucets in the same buildings tested within normal limits, it appears that there are isolated problems with specific faucets rather than systemic issues with the drinking water system. Although most buildings have very low levels of lead in their drinking water, some buildings in the community, not within base housing, have lead levels above the state and federal action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L). While the water across the installation meets drinking water standards, we have taken immediate and comprehensive action in collaboration with state experts to address the exceedance and will continue to provide updates to our community through the process.
Under state and federal law, we are required to have a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water. This program includes corrosion control treatment and public education.
All updates and resources for residents can be found on our dedicated Environmental Affairs webpage at https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff-Offices/G-4-Installation-Support-Directorate/Environmental-Affairs/Water-Quality/.
Background
During routine water sampling in 2024, 30 samples were collected from 13 buildings across MCAGCC. Four of these samples, located in buildings 1616, 1645, and 2026, exceeded the state and federal lead action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L). However, since other fixtures in the same buildings tested within normal limits, the issue appears to be problems with specific faucets rather than a systemic issue with the drinking water system. The water across the installation meets drinking water standards.
| Building |
Samples
collected |
Samples above the
limit |
Sample locations above the limit |
| 1616* - Barracks |
4 |
2 |
1st Floor Laundry Sink & Rm. 254 Sink |
| 1645 -Transient Qtrs. |
5 |
1 |
Rm. 150 Sink |
| 2026 - Armory |
1 |
1 |
Male Restroom Sink |
* Bldg. 1616 has been unoccupied since 2023 and is scheduled for demolition.
What is Being Done?
MCAGCC is committed to safeguarding the health of our community. In accordance with state and federal regulations, we conduct routine water quality monitoring across the installation. This program includes standard tap sampling, source water monitoring, water quality monitoring, corrosion control optimization, and public education.
In October 2024, MCAGCC completed an extensive lead service line inventory. The inventory revealed no known lead service lines or sources of lead within the drinking water system.
MCAGCC maintains water chemistry at the treatment plant to mitigate corrosion of pipe and plumbing components, thereby reducing the risk of lead leaching into drinking water. This process is referred to as corrosion control. MCAGCC will assess the current corrosion control treatment employed by our water system no later than June 11, 2027, in accordance with SWRCB regulations.
On February 12, 2026, MCAGCC completed fixture replacement and retesting of the affected buildings. The results confirm levels of lead are below the action limit after the fixture replacement. Sample results have been provided to the occupants of the sampled buildings. These results are accessible on our dedicated Environmental Affairs webpage at https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff-Offices/G-4-Installation-Support-Directorate/Environmental-Affairs/Water-Quality/. The water supply across the installation meets drinking water standards.
Because lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read the information below closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.
Health Effects of Lead
There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects in infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of people who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.
Lead In Drinking Water
Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning, can significantly increase a person's total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of infants who drink baby formulas and concentrated juices that are mixed with water. The EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person's total exposure to lead.
Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome plated brass faucets, and in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect your house to the water main (service lines). In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials to 8.0%. In California, a similar law prohibiting the use of both lead solder and lead pipe was enacted in 1985.
When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or later in the afternoon after returning from work or school, can contain higher levels of lead.
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead
Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water.
Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formulas as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your pipes by running the tap for 15-30 seconds.
Consuming tap water. Avoid consuming your tap water if you are pregnant or a child. Water, juice, and formula for infants or children should be prepared with bottled or filtered water using an NSF approved filter.
Use a certified filter to reduce lead. Some filters, also known as point-of-use (POU) devices, can reduce lead in drinking water. A list of these residential treatment devices can be found at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/device/watertreatmentdevices.html. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use the POU and when to replace it. Avoid using a filter cartridge after it has expired because it can become less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter.
Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Consider bottled water. Purchase bottled water for drinking and cooking to minimize lead levels. An alternate drinking water source is not required.
To learn more. For more information, please contact the Environmental Affairs Water Office at 760-830-7883, or email the Water Resources Manager at natalie.packard@usmc.mil.
If you and your family have other health issues concerning the consumption of this water:
- You may wish to consult your doctor and/or your child’s doctor
- You may share a copy of this notice with them
- You may wish to ask for your child to be given a blood lead test
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk from lead in drinking water are available from the EPA’s website https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
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