Report: High Lead, Copper in 4 Schools in Dedham

DEDHAM, MA - Hundreds of schools in Massachusetts have water levels that are too high to drink, according to a report just released by the state. Of the almost 2,000 schools that voluntarily had water tested for lead and copper last year, some 600 had at least one test come back with higher than recommended levels for drinking purposes. Dedham appeared to be one of those districts.

"This list summarizes sampling results for lead and copper in drinking water at schools and early education & child care facilities that have been reported to MassDEP through its electronic data reporting system," reads the report.

How did Dedham fare in the testing? The Early Childhood Center, Dedham High School, and Oakdale Elementary School were high on lead and Dedham Middle School was high on lead and copper. Avery Elementary, Greenlodge Elementary and Riverdale Elementary passed the test.

The school district has taken action to fix the problem, according to the state. The schools placed postings on faucets to prevent drinking/cooking, replaced plumbing and fixtures, continue to leave some out of service, and they have resampled.

Water testing above the "actionable level" indicates that the concentration is higher than is acceptable by the state's standards. "If lead concentrations exceed an action level of 15 ppb [ 0.015 milligrams per liter] or copper concentrations exceed an action level of 1.3 ppm [or 1.3 mg/L] in more than 10 percent of customer taps sampled, the system must undertake a number of additional actions to control corrosion," according to the EPA guidelines.

The water supplied to schools is generally well below the Massachusetts lead and copper Action Levels, but lead can be in drinking water due to lead pipes, solder, or old fixtures, according to the state. Most lead exposure around here comes from lead paint dust. Still, lead and copper in drinking water is a concern because infants, young children, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of exposure.

Some of the levels found at some of other Massachusetts schools had exceeded levels found in Flint, MI, according to the Boston Globe.

By Jenna Fisher (Patch Staff)