By: Arya Pindiprolu and Nicole Kazmierczak
Students and faculty never thought twice about water consumption on school grounds, even since Flint, Michigan—until recently. Williamsville East, along with the other schools in the district, tested the water safety in compliance with a new law requiring New York State public school districts to test for lead contamination. Samples of water were collected and tested from 2,459 water outlets across Williamsville’s schools and the district office. Any water outlet that exceeds the state’s action level of 15 ppb (parts per billion) is removed from service immediately.
Many people have been concerned with the lead water testing. Senior Steph Wetzel said, “I wash my hands every day in Mrs. Kramer’s class before I eat my lunch.”
Senior Conor Brown said, “I have used the water fountain in the fitness room a couple of times, but have not recently since I found out how high it tested.” That faucet was the worst of all faucets for water consumption, but many teachers and students said no one uses that fountain on a regular basis, or rarely at all. “I am also nervous for the kids in elementary and middle schools because they may not know that there’s a problem with the water,” Brown added.
Though many are concerned, there is nothing to worry about. Any water outlet that exceeded 15 ppb was removed from service immediately after the results came back. The outlets that exceeded 15 ppb will be retested before usage. According to the Williamsville Departments and Services, “Remediation may include changing the faucet/fixture, adding filtration, or adding appropriate labeling to certain fixtures as non-drinking water outlets such as custodial sinks and outside water faucets.”
Drinking water may not be used in Science Classroom water outlets due to the District Chemical Hygiene Plan, and there will be signage on these water outlets reminding students and faculty not to drink from them.
“All the faucets were tested and the ones that were tested negative have a sign placed on them. The next step is that they will change the faucets and re-test them, allowing no one to drink from them until they are clear,” Assistant Principal Mrs. DeSantis stated.
As long as you pay attention to the signs on the water outlets throughout the school you should have no concerns with the drinking water. All other water fountains for consumption passed the test, so there is almost no chance students and faculty consumed water above the 15 ppb required by state law. Washing one’s hands, as Wetzel did, does not pose her any harm.
The district will keep any outlet closed that does not pass the test, and replace any outlets until they do.
