Water Fixtures in 13 Newton Schools Test High for Lead

NEWTON, MA – Water fixtures in 13 Newton schools tested above the actionable level for lead, according to the Newton city website.

In total, 17 water sources - six drinking fountains and 11 sinks - were found to exceed the actionable level and will be replaced and retested, city officials wrote.

In April, the mayor, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works and the Public Buildings Department, initiated lead testing of two fountains in each of Newton's public schools.

During this screening, one drinking fountain at Burr Elementary School tested high for lead, while none of the other schools tested above the actionable level.

Though the state mandates yearly testing of two fixtures in two school buildings, the city began testing all of the drinking fountains and sinks in nurses' offices, staff rooms and kitchens in each of Newton's public school buildings. Samples were taken from 283 fixtures.

According to the city website, Newton will continue this level of testing annually for two years. The results of this testing will influence how future testing is done in Newton.

Image credit: David Salafia via Flickr / Creative Commons