Report: High Lead levels in Newton School?

NEWTON - Hundreds of schools in Massachusetts have water levels that are too high to drink, according to a report released by the state this week. 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. One Newton School appeared to have higher than normal lead levels in its water from May.

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

But Newton Superintendent David Fleishman said that's been fixed since September.

Over the summer, crews installed new plumbing and a new service line bringing water from the street to the school building. A contractor also installed new water fixtures and sink faucets, the Newton TAB reported. But it took months and some grumpy parents before tests came back with the all clear.

Although the School District insists it's been fixed, here's how did Newton fare in the testing in case you missed the earlier coverage: Only CC Burr in Auburndale came back with high lead levels. And they were widespread, according to repeated coverage in the Newton TAB.

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.

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The report did not indicate directly how far above actionable each party went. But 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.

Below is the Newton list from the state dated April 28, 2017. The state said the list was up to date based on input from its system. But Brookline also reportedly fixed their water issues and still made the list. The Brookline Superintendent's office said it appeared the state just didn't update the list after the town took action.

Auburndale C C Burr Only Lead Above Action Level
Auburndale Williams Lead and Copper Below Action Level

Newton Centre Oak Hill Middle Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newton Centre Newton South High Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newton Corner Underwood Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newton Highlands Countryside Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newtonville Cabot Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newtonville Horace Mann Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newtonville Newton Early Childhood Center Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newtonville Zervas Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newtonville F A Day Middle Lead and Copper Below Action Level
Newtonville Newton North High Lead and Copper Below Action Level