Philadelphia Testing Water At 40 Schools For Lead Contamination
By Peak Johnson
The School District of Philadelphia is reevaluating drinking water outlets for lead concentration levels in 40 schools throughout the city.
According to newsworks.org, the project will take four months to accomplish and will focus “on schools at risk for dangerous concentrations of lead.”
Between 2000 and 2010 the school district had tested every drinking water outlet via the Safe Drinking Water Program, “replacing or remediating those that tested positive for elevated lead.”
Philly.com reported that early results showed “about 20 percent of some 12,000 water outlets in 170 schools tested had high lead levels.”
Because of these findings, the district closed some of its water fountains and provided bottled water instead.
“This retesting project will allow us to add another level of oversight and assurance to our water quality program,” Fran Burns, the district’s chief operating officer, said in a statement obtained by newsworks. “It is important that we reassure our students and families that the quality of our drinking water is safe and in compliance with federal and local regulations.”
The schools selected, according to PhillyVoice, are in areas where children unfortunately have high blood lead levels. Four schools will be tested each week.
According to Philadelphia Magazine, city officials “praised” the decision to test the water.
“The school district’s plan to retest drinking water across its schools is critically important for Philadelphia’s students especially in light of concerns here and across the country about water quality and water access,” said Councilwoman Helen Gym in a statement, obtained by Philadelphia Magazine. “The threat of lead in aging buildings reminds us all that investments in school infrastructure cannot be budgetary afterthoughts.”
The school district formed a Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee this past May, according to PhillyVoice. Experts from the Philadelphia Water Department, U.S. EPA, Philadelphia Public Health Department, and Philadelphia Federations of Teachers Union Health and Welfare Fund make up the committee.
To read more about national lead problems visit Water Online’s Drinking Water Contaminant Removal Solutions Center.