SOMA Schools: New Testing Shows Less Lead In Drinking Water

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — South Orange-Maplewood School District officials say that after a second round of testing, only two out of nine drinking water sources at its schools have retested positive for lead levels “above the safety guidelines.”

SOMA school administrators reported in June that lead levels testing above the U.S. EPA action level were found in nine out of 223 samples in the district.

• See related article: Maplewood, South Orange Schools Find Elevated Lead Level In Water

According to SOMA Superintendent John Ramos, the drinking water outlets that tested above the 15 µg/l level included:

• Seth Boyden (Hallway by Room 105) - First Draw Result in µg/l (ppb) - 444 ppb
• South Mountain (Room 3) - 17.2 ppb
• South Mountain Annex (Hallway by Room 103) - 28.5 ppb
• South Mountain Annex (Room 103) - 30.3 ppb
• Tuscan (Room 22) - 46.1 ppb
• Maplewood Middle (Girls Locker Room) - 18 ppb
• Maplewood Middle (Kitchen) - 16.7 ppb
• Maplewood Middle (Teacher Lounge) - 46.8 ppb
• Underhill Field (Concession Stand) - 15.3 ppb

NEW TEST RESULTS

On Thursday, Ramos issued the following statement to parents and guardians:

“As you may be aware, an initial report indicated elevated levels of lead in nine of 223 the district’s water sources. Upon receipt of the results, each of the nine water sources were taken out of service and the district engaged in a second round of testing to verify the initial results. In the second round of testing on the nine water sources, only two were found to be above safety guidelines.”

Ramos continued:

“We realize that these results are confusing. The BOE and District Administration continues to have more questions than concrete answers, especially around the variance in the testing results, even within a single water source such as the Seth Boyden water fountain. According to our lead testing company, Lew Corp., lead results can and do vary, depending on a number of often changing factors, including water velocity, temperature and the amount of time water is in contact with the building’s plumbing. Additionally, the routes that water flows through the plumbing system of the building and the plumbing materials that the water will come into contact with will vary depending on the frequency and duration of the use of the various water fountains and faucets throughout the school.”

Ramos said:

“This summer, we are replacing all of the water fountains and/or faucets which had elevated lead levels in the initial testing. We are also installing filtration systems on all of our drinking fountains and food preparation sinks, as a preventative measure. We are undertaking these measures to provide additional safety of our drinking water for students and staff.”

The superintendent added:

“While our health experts continue to remind the public that exposure to lead paint and other environmental stimulants are the greatest dangers for lead poisoning, we know that parents remain concerned that their child(ren) may have been exposed to lead. The District has not received clearance to directly offer screening for students but we have been working diligently with the South Orange and Maplewood Departments of Health and the office of State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey.”

Ramos said that officials recommend the following steps if they want to check their child’s exposure levels:

• The recommended first step is to consult with your primary care physician or pediatrician.
• In the event your own physician is not available, lead testing and follow up can be provided by Dr. Cantey, 312 South Orange Avenue, South Orange. Dr. Cantey accepts Medicaid/NJ Family Care Plans. For an appointment please call 973-532-7898.
• For students with limited or no health insurance, we have secured lead testing and follow up through Zufall, a federal qualified health center is located at 95 Northfield Ave., West Orange. For an appointment call 973-325-2266.

For more questions about lead screening, contact the below sources:

• Maplewood Health Department, 973-762-8120, ext. 4400
• South Orange Health Department, 973-378-7715, ext. 2020

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