Water Testing for Lead Content
Earlier this year, the Illinois General Assembly passed SB 550 that set certain requirements on K-12 school districts to test their drinkable water for lead. Buildings built before January 1, 1987 are required to be tested before the end of ths calendar year. Lake Crest Elementary School falls in this category. Buildings built after 2000 are not required to test. Therefore, Oakland High School was not tested. On September 21st, Environmental Consultants, LLC was onsite to collect the water samples. The samples were then tested by Teklab, Inc. which is an IEPA certified lab.
The final report from the test can be accessed via the following link; Report of Drinking Water Sampling for Lead Content at Oakland CUSD #5
The USEPA action level for lead in drinking water is 15.0 parts per billion (ppb) for PWS. The USEPA document titled “Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Care Facilities” last updated November 9, 2015 identifies an action level for drinking water collected from a plumbing fixture as 20.0 ppb. The USEPA recommends plumbing fixtures be removed from service when water sample results exceed 20.0 ppb. In addition, Senate Bill 0550 directs districts is to inform parents and staff of any water sources testing above 5 ppb.
Results from the district are as follows:
27 potable water sources
55 water samples collected
0 results greater than 20 ppb
1 results greater than 15 ppb but less than 20 ppb
6 results greater than 5 ppb
One water source, the Room 109 sink, was identified in excess of the level of 15 ppb. This fixture has been removed from service at this time. The fixture will only be returned to
service once corrective actions have been implemented and follow up test results meet acceptable standards. Furthermore, the district is preparing a Preventative Maintenance plan to manage the district’s plumbing fixtures in to the future.
Parents and staff were notified of this information via a letter that went out on October 5, 2017.