NEW ROCHELLE – In light of the current drinking water issues facing schools and local governments, the City School District of New Rochelle proactively conducted voluntary water testing for lead content at the districts seven elementary schools to ensure the safety of students and staff. The results of those tests have come back and the district wishes to share the report with the public.
The results relate to water testing at six elementary schools: Columbus Elementary School, Daniel Webster Elementary School, Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center, Jefferson Elementary School, Trinity Elementary School and William B. Ward Elementary School. The results of testing for Davis Elementary School were reported 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 Brian Osborne, superintendent of schools.
The New Rochelle school district partnered with the Westchester County Department of Health and the environmental services firm Louis Berger to conduct the tests. These took place between June 1 and June 15. The process adhered to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. A total of 206 drinking water locations were tested throughout the six schools.
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.
In identifying problem water outlets, Louis Berger and the district chose to use the more stringent action level standard of 15 ppb that applies to water utilities/providers rather than the 20 ppb trigger established by the EPA.
Nineteen of the initial draw samples exceeded the 15 ppb threshold and eight of the follow-up samples exceeded the action level. The results were reviewed by the county Department of Health.
Following the advice of Louis Berger, the district has shut off affected water sources. Bottled water and/or water coolers are being provided to students and staff.
The next round of testing will be conducted at Isaac E. Young Middle School, Albert Leonard Middle School and New Rochelle High School. “We will continue to communicate the results of these tests and our ongoing efforts to address lead in our schools’ drinking water,” Osborne said.
To see a full listing of water sources that have been shut off, visit the district website at http://www.nred.org
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