INDIAHOMA  Elevated levels of lead have been found in the drinking water test of one local residence during a recent sample test by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). However, city officials report that the quality of the drinking water supply is still good and safe to drink for its customers.

Connie McCarthy of the Town of Indiahoma said this particular residence was one of five recently tested by DEQ, which is done every three years. She said that the test homes are chosen by the city out of 10 possible locations. She said that this particular residence lead level as tested was 91 percent, which is just one percentage point above the maximum allowable lead content of 90 percent. All other homes tested were found to be within allowable limits of lead.

"We've never had this before," she said. "Most people in our town don't have to worry about it."

McCarthy said one possible cause for high lead levels in water is corrosion of aging water pipes that may leak lead into residential water supplies.

Indiahoma Mayor Daryl Perry confirmed the results of the DEQ's recent water tests and plans call for DEQ to retest the supply again within the next three to five months to determine if the lead levels of the supply are within acceptable lead levels.

"The water is safe to drink," he said. "All we're going to have to do is re-test it."

Perry said that half of Indiahoma's water supply is sourced from deep wells and the other half purchased from Comanche County Rural Water District No. 4. He said the well water is blended with the district water before it is distributed to customers for consumption and other usage due to the fact that the well water contains large amounts of fluoride.

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