Elevated Levels Of Lead In Local Elementary School Prompt Officials Into Action
By Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Lower Merion School District officials say they will be ordering additional tests on water at the Penn Wynne Elementary School. The order comes after testing at three locations inside the school, this past week, indicated elevated levels of lead in the water.
In a message sent to parents earlier this week, the District said tests showed elevated levels in a cafeteria faucet used for washing dishes.
Retesting later showed that to be a false reading, however the District in a 2nd letter revealed the additional testing found elevated levels at two other locations including a fountain.
District officials said that while levels were not high enough to prompt an order to shut off water, as a precaution they have turned off water to all drinking fountains and are supplying the school with bottled water.
"We have, because we like to take every precaution, given water bottles to students," District spokesperson Doug Young told Hunter.
School officials stress the testing, which they started proactively at every school, because of national lead concerns. However it may be flawed by other contaminants, giving false positive readings on lead. Most readings throughout the building repeatedly show no signs of lead problems.
"There's certainly no indication at this time that the water supply entering the school is a cause for concern," Young stated.
Officials say they will continue the precautions as they await results of the latest tests expected next week.