Lead in Some New Rochelle Elementary School Water Sources Reported

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — When elementary school students in New Rochelle come back to classes Wednesday for a half day, some of the water fountains will be turned off due to lead contamination.

The school district conducted water testing in all elementary schools, except for Davis Elementary School, from June 1 to June 15.

Test results for Davis were released in the spring.

“The voluntary testing was not required by law but the district wanted to take definitive steps to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and teachers,” said Superintendent Brian Osborne.

The tests included both an initial draw, which took water immediately from a source, and a 30-second flush, which runs the water for half a minute before the sample is taken.

Westchester County Department of Health ad the environmental services firm Louis Berger partnered with the district to conduct the tests.

A total of 206 drinking water locations were tested in the six schools.

Louis Berger chose a more stringent action level standard of 15 part per billion for lead. The EPA standard is 20 ppb.

There were 19 water outlets whose samples exceeded the 15 ppb threshold and eight of the folloow-up samples exceeded the action level.

Louis Berger advised the district to shut off affected water sources.

Bottled water and/or water coolers will be provided to students and staff.

The next round of testing will be conducted at the two middle schools and the high school.

A full list of affected water sources can be seen by clicking here.

Image via Shutterstock.