(MODESTO, CA) --The water system at a Modesto high school will undergo an 18-month-long investigation after elevated lead levels were found in eight out of ten faucets during routine water testing.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The results found at Joseph A. Gregori High School had also prompted officials to shut down other water fountains on the premises as a safety precaution. The elevated levels exceeded the regulatory safety action levels mandated by California’s Title 22, an administrative law that outlines the accepted maximum lead levels as 15 parts per billion, and, if exceeded, enforces mandated corrective protocols to combat the issue.
For the time being, officials have provided water bottles to drink in lieu of fountains temporarily, until water on the school premises is deemed safe enough to drink. Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist Rachel Reiss spoke with OpGov.News, saying they were looking into the different components regarding the water contamination and specified that an investigation spanning a year and a half would be conducted to remedy the matter.
Regarding the adverse health effects for humans of lead in drinking water, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has noted its dangerous properties.
The official EPA website states “In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.” The EPA also notes the goal for lead in drinking water is ideally always zero, as even low exposure to the toxic metal is harmful to humans and human development.
Corrective action under Title 22 details specific protocol and procedures that must be completed within six months of action level exceedance to assess water contamination levels. One of the primary courses of action involves collecting lead and copper samples from each entry point from a water utility source before it's distributed to the public.
Photo Credit: Gregori.mcs4kids.com
This is done to determine whether the water is contaminated before distribution. The final course of action is to make any recommendations for water treatment to the Department in writing. Reiss also told Opgov.news that they would be implementing “lead education” to educate the public regarding the lead found in the water.
According to the California Code of Regulations (C.C.R.), “Each system with a lead action level exceedance shall conduct a lead public education program that includes delivery of the following public education materials.” Information from the C.C.R. also states that any system needs to submit a list of all the forms of media they used to inform the public to the Department.
Photo Credit: EPA.gov
In 2018, Joseph A. Gregori High School dealt with the same issue of high lead levels being detected due to four plumbing fixtures even though the school was built in 2010. Opgov.news reached out to the Modesto school district asking if they think the news regarding the water levels has had any impact on the local community particularly regarding parents' concerns.
The district informed Opgov.news that at this time the district will not be providing any additional comments from what has already been made publicly available.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please email me at yikaileau.w@lead4earth.org.
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