Schools' water to be tested for lead
Following the disclosure of elevated lead levels in the drinking water at six schools in Jersey City earlier this year, the Jersey City Board of Education announced last week plans to test water sources in all its buildings for elevated lead levels beginning tomorrow.
Tests in all 45 school buildings are expected to be completed by the end of June, officials said.
In February, school officials rushed to shut taps at six schools after tests showed lead levels as high as 40 times the federal standard - no more than 20 parts per billion. Affected were Schools 6, 25, 27, 31, 11, and 23.
These schools, along with Schools 8 and 28, had originally been flagged as problematic by the federal Environmental Protection Agency in August 2006 as part of a voluntary program the district participates in.
School officials have never fully explained why it took them 18 months - from August 2006 to February 2008 - before they "directed the water fountains in the six schools to be taken out of service immediately, and bottled water to be brought in for students and staff," to quote a press release issued by Superintendent of Schools Charles T. Epps Jr. in February.
"We are very happy to see that the board is responding to our demand to immediately test drinking water in all schools and notify parents about the schedule when the testing will take place," said Loyda Goldston, a parent leader with the group, Parent and Communities United for Education.
"Testing the water in all Jersey City schools is an important first step toward our children's safety, but we will be watching closely to see that the testing is completed, that parents are notified of the results by the end of the school year, and any possible problem is corrected before September when schools open," Goldston added.
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