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Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act Update: August 2023

By Halley, Heath on August 10, 2023

Dear PCR-I Families and Community Members,

We hope this message finds you well. The purpose of this letter is to inform you about the recent Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.77) water testing conducted at our school district. Your health and safety, along with that of our students and staff, are important to us. We wanted to update you with the results, address any concerns, and assure you that we are taking immediate and comprehensive actions to address any issues identified.

Initial Test Results Overview: On August 4, 2023, we received the results from the first round of lead testing, as required by statute. Out of the 114 test points sampled, 42 samples showed detectable lead levels, which accounts for 37% of the samples. Of those, 25 samples had lead levels above the action limit of 5 parts per billion (ppb), making up 22% of the total samples.

The areas where lead levels above 5ppb were detected include:

• Two drinking fountains (located by Room El-22 and MS-9)

• Three bottle filler stations (by Room EL-20, MS-9, and the cafeteria)

• Three hand-sprayers in the kitchen

• The hand sink in the concession stand and the SOAR building

• Other actionable sample results from hand sinks and showers

Immediate Actions Taken: To ensure the safety of our students and staff, we are implementing immediate measures in accordance with EPA guidance. Affected faucets or outlets have been removed from service and will be clearly marked with signage indicating that they are non-potable and not suitable for drinking or washing dishes. While this signage is temporary, it serves as an essential precaution as we continue to implement solutions to eliminate lead contaminants.  New faucets and filtration systems and filters have been ordered. 

Next Steps: We are committed to resolving this matter promptly and effectively. Following EPA and DHSS testing guidelines, on August 9 we conducted follow-up flush samples. Detailed information about our sampling plan, lab reports, and testing criteria can be found on our school website.

Explanation of Results: Our testing involved 114 samples, of which 68 showed detectable lead levels. Among these, 25 initial draw samples tested above the EPA's threshold of 5ppb for total lead content. For further clarification and localization, we will proceed with the follow-up flush testing as outlined in our testing criteria.

Remediation Plan: Rest assured that we are taking comprehensive steps to mitigate and correct lead exposure risks for our students and staff. The remediation plan will be shared once we receive the follow-up flush testing results. Our decisions will be guided not only by safety considerations but also by budgetary constraints and maintenance feasibility.

Your trust and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work together to ensure a safe environment for everyone within our school district. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress and any further actions taken. 

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Heath Halley

Superintendent

660-947-3361

hhalley@putnamcountyr1.net

Important information about lead in your drinking water (PDF) 

Initial Test Results (August 2023)

Inovatia Lab Results August 2023