Dear Kenbridge Elementary School Parents,
Lunenburg County Public Schools recently participated in a voluntary state program to test our schools’ drinking water. This program was offered to all Virginia public school facilities and specifically tests water fixtures that provide drinking or cooking water to students.
At Kenbridge Elementary School, a total of 58 fixtures were tested. 84% of those fixtures did not present lead levels that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
However, 9 fixtures had a lead level that exceeded the EPA’s action level on the initial draw, but 6 of the fixtures were back in the acceptable range after a 30-second flush. The action level of 15 ppb is not a measure of health effects; it serves as a signal for the school/child care facility to take steps to reduce lead in the water. Lead found in tap water typically comes from the corrosion of interior plumbing fixtures and materials that contain lead, not usually from the municipal water supply. The issue is specific to the identified fixture and will be addressed by the remediation plan.
The fixtures of concern were located in 6 classrooms. The identified sinks are used for handwashing on a very minimal basis--not for cooking or drinking.
We have taken one or more of the following actions to address this situation:
--the identified sinks will be flushed weekly
--the sinks will continue to be used for handwashing only--not for consumption
--signage will be posted at those sinks as a reminder that the water is not for consumption
If you would like more information about the testing process, please contact my office at 434-696-3036 Monday through Friday from 9:00-4:00.
Sincerely,
Stacey Newton,
Coordinator of Administrative Services