Wile Ruth Phillips was busy putting up an elaborate Christmas display in front of her Masonic Park Road home...she was also concerned about the news that, for the second time in two years, a high level of nitrates has been found in the water she and her neighbors uses.

"We're looking into getting bottled water," Phillips says. "I know they say it won't hurt adults, but...I don't want to take that chance."

Jay Huck, Manager of the Putnam Community Water System, says a high level of nitrates was found in the supply about two years ago.

And the warning was issued Thursday...after a second test confirmed the latest case of a high nitrate level...discovered some time last week.

Water officials say the Devola area has hard water...which most residents deal with by using water softeners. But another resident says the nitrate problem adds to their concerns.

"I pay to have water come into the house," Florence Beidler says. "I don't drink the water, I buy that. Then, I have the water softened, because it's very hard. So I pay for my water three or four times, and it's wearing a little thin."

Huck says the water system is seeking an EPA grant to seek the source of the high nitrate levels. He says another sample is expected to be taken next week, and he doesn't expect the warning to be lifted until December 7th at the earliest.