Lead Levels Too High in Some Mount Vernon School Fountains, Faucets

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – In light of recent current events and in an effort to continue to make the Mount Vernon City School District buildings as safe as possible for students and staff, the district conducted voluntary water testing for lead content at all possible drinking water sources.

“The voluntary testing, which was not required by law or regulation, was conducted as a preventative measure as the safety of our children, teachers and staff are the priority,” said Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of Schools, in an announcement about the results. “All possible drinking water outlets were tested. Our goal was to definitively identify any locations within the district where further investigation or lead reduction actions could be taken.”

The testing – conducted from May 28 to June 22 – adhered to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and was reviewed by the Westchester County Department of Health. It was conducted by custodial staff within the district and supervised by an independent engineering firm.

Both initial draw and 30-second flush samples were collected. An initial draw is a water sample taken immediately from a water source. A 30-second flush is a water sample taken after a water source runs for 30 seconds. The locations of samples were in both “high priority” locations (for example, drinking water fountains, kitchens, cafeterias, teacher lounges, nurse’s offices, etc…) and “medium priority” non-drinking locations (for example, bathroom sinks, classroom and laboratory faucets, etc…), in accordance with the EPA protocols listed above.

Sample results were evaluated in accordance with the EPA Recommended Action Limit for Drinking Water in Schools of 20 parts per billion (ppb) and the more stringent EPA Recommended Action limit of 15 ppb in public water systems.

A total of 2,501 initial draw and 30-second flush samples were collected from approximately 1,251 high and medium priority locations. Of those:

• 39 high priority drinking water source locations contained lead levels above 15 ppb in either initial draw or flush samples. These fixtures, faucets or fountains have been turned off to prevent use. They will be either removed or replaced by the time school opens on Sept. 6. Until they are replaced, they have been labeled as “Do Not Use.”
• 173 medium priority non-drinking water source locations contained lead above the 15 ppb in either initial draw or flush samples. Permanent signage to indicate “Handwashing Only – Not for Drinking” is being posted at these locations.

To see a full listing of locations that are being replaced and/or labeled, visit the district website at www.mtvernoncsd.org.

“Everyone wants a safe environment to learn and teach in. With recent news events, the district felt it was necessary to proactively conduct this voluntary testing,” Dr. Hamilton said. “Now, we are taking corrective measures to ensure that everyone has access to safe water and does not drink from sources that are not meant for drinking.”

If parents have any questions regarding the sampling or findings, they may contact Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Michael Pelliccio at(914) 665-5190.

>>from the Mount Vernon schools