Several Massachusetts schools are working to clean up water systems after elevated levels of lead were found in the drinking water.
Two Boston Public Schools Facilities Department employees have been placed on administrative leave after water was found contaminated with lead from drinking fountains.
Administrators announced Wednesday that the fountains were accidentally turned on before crews had finished testing the water.
According to Boston Public Schools, there was a lack of communication between their facilities department and a third party contractor that was working to install new fountains.
"We are confident that all active water fountains meet state standards and are fine for students and faculty use. All active water fountains were tested in April, and the results have been triple verified by Boston Public Schools, Boston Water & Sewer Commission and a third-party contractor. There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our students and staff." Two BPS Facilities Department personnel have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation." Superintendent Tommy Chang, Boston Public Schools
They said the new fountains may have only been turned on for a couple of days. However, at the Mather School, they say the fountains that had the lead in the water could have been turned on for as many as three weeks.
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There were six pilot schools where they were testing the drinking water and replacing contaminated fountains.
There are four affected schools:
- Mather Elementary School, Dorchester
- Lee K-8 School, Dorchester
- Curley K-8 School, Jamaica Plain
- Another Course to College, Brighton
The fountains have since been turned off in all of those schools, as well as the other two schools involved in the testing program.
School leaders are contacting parents about the situation.
Boston Public Schools says the risk of a child getting sick from drinking lead in the water is extremely low.
Officials said students have been provided bottled water, and that student safety and health is their top priority.
Last week, unsafe levels of lead were found in the water in four other schools.
In Natick, the school district announced Thursday that testing of water showed higher than allowable levels of copper and/or lead in some schools.
"Due to recent events around the country, we understand this matter can be concerning to families," said Dr. Peter Sanchioni, Natick Superintendent.
The school district released results of recent tests:
The school district will not say when the testing took place, and the superintendent did not talk to the media to explain just how much lead was in the water.
In a letter posted to the district’s website, the superintendent said they already put safety protocols in place, which included replacing water fountains, but he wouldn’t elaborate on what else they did.
In the letter, the superintendent said the water has been deemed safe and suitable for drinking, but some parents still aren’t comfortable letting their kids drink it.
A question and answer session with Universal Environmental Consultants and other local officials for Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wilson Middle School Auditorium.
The school system said it plans another round of testing.
See the full letter below:
There have been many questions from the community about the recent water testing conducted across the Natick School district.
Natick parents have expressed concerns about the test results that displayed "elevated" levels at some schools. Although the Town of Natick conducts testing on the water supply regularly, the recent water tests in the schools were completed at the district’s initiative. As a result, the district will work to conduct water testing on a routine basis.
It is important to understand that testing was conducted on all fixtures (faucets) that could provide drinking water within each school, including fixtures (faucets) that are non-drinking fountains. Based on the results, safety protocols, which include flushing water for 2-5 minutes, have been implemented; and Natick schools water has been deemed safe and suitable for drinking.
However, we take your concerns very seriously and are committed to ensuring the health and safety of Natick students. Understanding that there are specific questions the community may have about this testing, results, and remediation, we want to provide the best access to information across the district. We are holding a forum at Wilson Middle School on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. with out testing experts to discuss the exact results of this testing and answer questions. Additionally, we will have a school nurse and physician in attendance to discuss the health aspect of these findings. If you’re unable to attend this forum, it will be televised on Natick Pegasus for viewing at home.
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