Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at some RCSD schools
Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Test results for 22 Rochester City School District schools indicate approximately 11 percent of drinking-water fixtures have elevated lead levels, according to federal guidelines.
The results, released Tuesday, show lead levels above the EPA threshold of 20 parts per billion (ppb) for schools and child care centers.
Four of the 22 schools - Schools No. 19, 29, 42, and 44 - currently have children attending summer programs. Bottled water will be delivered for all of the students until the end of their programs.
The district said it will address the issue or take the fixtures offline at each building before school resumes on September 7.
Of the 881 tested water fountains and sinks used for drinking water, 98 fixtures indicate the elevated lead levels, which is consistent with voluntary tests the District conducted in 2006.
Earlier this year, other Monroe County districts found that between eight and 58 percent of water fixtures tested with lead levels were above the safety threshold.
The District said it will post data on the number of fixtures affected at each school after the testing process is complete.
A letter was sent home to parents of affected schools in the school district. You can see a sample letter attached below: