Water fountains at seven Boston schools have been de-activated following the discovery of heightened levels of lead in the drinking water.
According to Boston Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang, a investigation into the drinking water reveal seven schools in six buildings had at least one water fountain with lead concentrations that exceeded the federal action level of 15 parts per billion.
Chang said those seven schools all had acceptable lead levels when tested last spring.
“These new results, indicating higher levels, are likely due to testing conditions in the summer that did not reflect typical fountain usage during the school year,” Chang said in a letter Tuesday.
Water fountains have been deactivated at the Patrick Lyndon K-8, Lee Academy, Josiah Quincy Elementary, Boston Latin School, F. Lyman Winship Elementary, and Jeremiah E. Burke High/Dearborn STEM Academy.
School Superintendent Tommy Chang released the following statement:
“The safety, health and well-being of our students are always the top priority at the Boston Public Schools. We are committed to ensuring the best possible water quality by improving standards for our students and staff.”
For the 2016-2017 school year, 24 school building will receive drinking water from active water fountains and 108 school will receive bottled water.
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