Lead Testing Results In For Summit Schools

SUMMIT, NJ — Lead testing for drinking water at Summit Public Schools has been completed and results found that out of the 178 outlets tested in the district, all but two were below the lead action level.

Two locations were found to have lead levels exceeding the EPA standard of 15 parts per billion in some of its faucets. Both locations were inside the LCJ Summit Middle School (1950 Addition).

The testing was completed on April 10 and the results have been posted on the school's website.

Here is a list of the lead testing results for drinking water at all locations in the district:

• Brayton ES (Original Building)
• Brayton ES (1965 Addition)
• Franklin ES
• Jefferson ES & JPC
• Lincoln Hubbard ES
• Washington ES
• LCJ Summit Middle School (Original Building)
• LCJ Summit Middle School (1950 Addition)
• Summit High School
• Wilson PC & Administrative Offices

The state Board of Education adopted the lead testing requirements in July in the wake of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis that grabbed national headlines and raised concerns about schoolchildren being exposed to lead in their drinking water.

The Flint crisis led to testing of water in some of New Jersey's inner-city schools; results from 30 schools in Newark found lead levels as high as 35 times above the federal action limit of 15 ppb, according to a report on NJ.com.

In May, Gov. Chris Christie announced that all of the state's 3,000 schools would be tested for lead exposure, and the state appropriated $10 million to help cover the costs. The 15 ppb is set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the maximum allowable level, as lead in drinking water can have serious health impacts, especially for children.

The testing process includes every fountain, every bubbler, every sink and every source of water into the building.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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