NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Davis Elementary School Principal Michael Galland announced today in a letter to parents that elevated levels of lead were found in a sample taken from a drinking water fountain at the school.
“Even though we believe the drinking water at Davis Elementary is safe,” said Galland. “We have decided to take an aggressive and overly cautious approach until we learn the results of the second, comprehensive tests conducted last week”
In the wake of recent headlines concerning significant levels of lead in the water of schools in Flint, Michigan and Newark, NJ, the City School District of New Rochelle proactively launched testing of water systems and pipes throughout the district. The results from all schools tested, except for Davis, came back well below the EPA threshold number of 15 parts per billion.
At Davis, three locations were tested.
“Water tested from two spots were fine,” said Galland. “Tests from one water fountain in the library hallway, however, found slightly elevated levels of lead. This fountain was immediately shut off and remains shut off.”
The presence of lead in the water from this one water fountain was measured at 47.2 parts per billion.
The water was sampled in the morning. A second test of the same water fountain occurred after water had been allowed to run for the recommended 30 seconds as suggested by the experts from Industrial Hygiene Services, consultants hired by the District. The results of this second test came back at 3.14 ppb, which is well below the EPA threshold.
The District has now expanded the scope of water testing at Davis. Additional water samples from every water fountain and sink were taken and sent for evaluation with full results expected within three weeks.
“It is important to understand that the specific results of the water testing show only slightly elevated levels of lead absorption in a single fountain, and those numbers quickly returned to levels well below the threshold after water was allowed to run even briefly,” said Galland.
All water fountains at Davis have been and will remain shut off until we receive the full results from testing conducted throughout our school. Temporary water coolers are being installed and bottled water will be available for students throughout the day.