Lead Testing: “Water Safe” In Robertson Schools, Officials Say
STORY UPDATED:
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Robertson County School’s have finished water testing for lead and the news is good.
Robertson County Schools have been proactive with a water testing program that began before state requirements went into effect, according to officials with the district.
After all the testing was complete, just two schools showed relatively minor issues that were immediately addressed, officials said. A few sinks and one fountain in Greenbrier and Springfield High schools showed slightly higher lead levels than the state allows.
Greenbrier High had just one location (a drinking fountain) that tested right at the twenty parts per billion, five PPB higher than the state allows. The fountain was quickly disconnected and then corrected, school officials said.
Springfield High School had seven sinks with higher readings but none were utilized regularly or for drinking water, officials said. The few issues that were found have been corrected and brought up to the required specifications.
UPDATE: After our report, officials with Robertson County School’s reached out to Smokey Barn News to report that one additional fountain with a reading above 20 PPB was discovered at Krisle Elementary School. The fountain was quickly taken offline and repaired.
Being proactive, the Robertson County Schools had already begun water testing before it became mandated by the state back in January.
According to the Tennesee Department of Health, if lead amounts are greater than 15 parts per billion (ppb) but less than 20 ppb, the school has to conduct testing on an annual basis until retesting confirms the level is less than 15 ppb.
If results are equal to or greater than 20 parts per billion (ppb) the water source must be removed from service until retesting confirms results less than 20 ppb.
In addition, parents and guardians of students enrolled at the school are notified and retesting of the lead level of the drinking water source must occur within 90 days of any corrective action.
More information from the Tennessee Department Of Health is available here. For the symptoms of lead poisoning click here.
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