The Hermiston School District tested 853 sites and identified 19 locations with elevated lead levels across its schools. None of the locations are a primary drinking source. Elevated levels of lead were found in hand washing stations, bathrooms, and other secondary sources at Hermiston High School, Highland Hills elementary school, and in kitchens at Armand Larive and Sandstone middle schools.
The results were reviewed with the Hermiston School Board on August 8, 2016 as part of a comprehensive review of the school district’s water system provided by Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Mike Kay.
In April 2016, state officials and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) made the recommendation that all public schools and day care centers test their water for lead this summer, using accredited drinking water testing labs to process water samples for lead.
Each school district needs to: 1) Identify if there are any sources of lead by testing all taps used for drinking or food preparation in the building to identify any lead problems. 2) Stop access to students, staff, and community members to those water taps that have more than 15 parts per billion of lead. This would include shutting off taps, covering and tagging water fountains. 3) Communicate the test results with students, families and community. 4) Mitigate and correct any problems by replacing the sources of lead in the plumbing systems using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines.
With assistance from Delta Environmental, Table Rock Analytical Laboratory, the Analytical Laboratory’s Group and Anatek Laboratory Group; the maintenance staff were trained in sampling processes and procedures including the chain of custody of handling samples. The staff practiced sampling processes and documentation which was reviewed by Delta Environmental.
The Hermiston School District was aggressive on identifying testing sites and identified two types of sites: primary drinking locations and secondary locations. Primary locations included drinking fountains and normal places students and staff would use for drinking. The secondary locations included exterior hose bibs, bathroom, kitchen and science sinks. Both primary and secondary locations were tested to include all potential sites following the recommended EPA testing process. We also requested information from the City of Hermiston in accordance with EPA requirements.
To-date 853 sites have been tested. We have received the results for 834 sites and are waiting to hear back the results on the Kennison Field site.
The results received thus far show that primary drinking sites did not exceed lead levels. All elevated sites were secondary sites. All the elevated sites have been shut off at the valve, they have been tagged as “do not use,” all surface equipment has been replaced, all sites have been retested and we are waiting on follow up results. All elevated sites will remain tagged until corrective action is complete.
The District will provide all necessary documentation to the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education, and will continue to work on the established preventative maintenance schedule for all primary and secondary water sites.
According to Mike Kay, Executive Director of Operations, “The water source for all Hermiston Schools is the City of Hermiston. Its municipal water systems are in compliance with federal and state standards for lead monitoring and treatment.” Publically records indicate that the City of Hermiston has not had the need to take additional steps beyond regular testing as the City historically meets the state and federal thresholds. For the most recent Annual Water Quality Report you may go to:
http://www.hermiston.or.us/sites/hermiston.or.us/files/File/waterdept/15-water-quality-data.pdf
Other useful web sites:
Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Drinking Water
EPA, Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water:
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
News & Reports Related to Water Lead Testing:
OHA News Release on Plan to Help School District and Child Care Centers Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
Environmental Protection Agency, Testing Schools and Child Care Centers for Lead in Drinking Water
Governor Brown Addresses Environmental Health in Oregon Public Schools
Spanish Resources: