- Statewide school water resampling for lead began in late-2022.
- Initial results show 9% of samples had lead levels above 7.5 ppb.
- Virtually all of the samples, 95%, returned lead levels above 1 ppb.
- Resampling will continue statewide. Officials estimate process to take about three months.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify that the federal Lead and Copper Rule only applies to water suppliers.
As Delaware embarks on a statewide resampling for lead in school water, initial results have come back with some alarming levels, underscoring a reality educators and state officials worked hard to downplay in the state’s earlier sampling efforts.
Of the 479 samples taken from water outlets at 10 schools in the Indian River School District, 9% had lead levels higher than 7.5 parts per billion, according to results posted on the Lead in Drinking Water Sampling online dashboard as of Jan. 20. This is the threshold Delaware opted to act on after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency flagged the state over the botched testing.
Twenty-four samples returned lead levels higher than 15 ppb, the threshold for remediation and action for water suppliers − not schools, individual homes or private businesses − based on the federal Lead and Copper Rule. Some of those samples were as high as 140 ppb, like a flush sample taken on Dec. 22 at JM Clayton Elementary, according to the state data dashboard.
What prompted the water retesting?
Resampling of school water sources began in December after a series of Delaware Online/The News Journal stories exposed errors in the state’s initial water sampling efforts and its attempts to dodge responsibility, which ultimately prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to step in.
THIRD PARTY HIRE:Why Delaware hired an outside contractor to check for lead in school water
Delaware Online found a litany of problems with the state’s lead testing program, which was funded through federal grants, including samples being taken by untrained custodians and janitors; sampling non-drinking water sources; and not releasing the results in a timely manner.
FOR SUBSCRIBERS:How Delaware’s handling of lead water testing put thousands of students and staff at risk
To ensure proper testing protocol and gain an accurate picture of lead contamination in school water sources, the Department of Education contracted with Newark-based Batta Environmental Associates to perform retesting. The $1.3 million contract covers the nearly 250 schools statewide that will be resampled, allocating about $5,500 for testing efforts at each school.
“Results are being shared with the respective superintendents, charter leaders and facility leads as they are received from Batta, and districts/charters will be sharing results and any next steps with their respective communities,” said Education Department spokesperson Alison May in an emailed news release.
FAILED COMMUNICATION:Public was supposed to be notified about lead in schools, why weren’t they?
ACCOUNTABILITY:Delaware officials admit to ‘missteps’ in not communicating high lead levels in school water supplies
May said all fixtures that previously tested at or above 7.5 ppb have been turned off or signage has been affixed to the fixture to note water is not for consumption.
The Lead and Copper Rule establishes a 15 ppb threshold for action to ensure water suppliers provide adequate corrosion control; however, it is not meant as a public health standard.
Indeed, the EPA’s maximum contaminant level goal is zero, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lead in drinking water not exceed 1 ppb.
How is Indian River School District doing?
All samples collected so far at Indian River schools have returned at least trace amounts of lead, with 95% of samples above 1 ppb.
ALL ABOUT LEAD:How it gets into drinking water and can harm you
“As resampling progresses, members of the school community may notice additional fixtures are turned off, replaced, or may notice filters being installed to reduce lead exposure in schools,” she said. “All steps of removal, remediation, and replacement will be communicated by the districts/charters.”
In the Indian River School District, families received an alert when results for the Howard T. Ennis School came back Thursday noting how many fixtures returned elevated lead levels, what the immediate action was and any plans for long-term remediation.
To find out what Indian River is doing to address elevated lead levels, visit the district’s website. Sample results from all school districts will be posted on the state data dashboard.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com or call 302-598-5507. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries.
