BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the spring of 2016, Arlington Heights School District 25 voluntarily contracted with Admiral Environmental Services to conduct baseline water quality measurements at all 12 buildings within our building portfolio.  This testing was intended to provide a baseline analysis of the potable drinking water systems within our buildings for potential containments such as lead. For each building, 2 random sites were selected to determine if a system wide presence of lead was detected.  United Analytical obtained samples from 24 sites across the district and had them tested by Suburban Laboratories, Inc, an Illinois Department of Public Health accredited lab along with an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Lab.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) indicates that action must be taken to remediate if a water source has a level of lead equal to or greater than 15 parts per billion (ppb).  All samples taken yielded either non-detectable or non-actionable levels of lead.

WINTER 2017 WATER TESTING

On January 1st, 2017, a new state of Illinois Law (225 ILCS 320/33.5) went into effect requiring school districts across the state to complete more in depth testing of their potable water supply for lead prior to December 31st, 2017.  Testing was required to be conducted at points of use at which non-bottled water that may be ingested by children or used for food preparation exits a tap, faucet, drinking fountain, wash basin in a classroom occupied by children or students under grade 1 or similar point of use.  However, all bathroom sinks and wash basins used for janitorial staff are excluded from the definition. Though the U.S. EPA action level remains at 15 parts per billion (ppb), Illinois law now requires that schools notify parents and legal guardians if a sample exceeds 5 parts per billion (ppb).  Arlington Heights School District 25 contracted with United Analytical Services to gather and have tested, all locations that were applicable under the law.  In total, 146 sites were gathered for testing and analysis of which 4 sites registered results above the Illinois required notification threshold of 5 ppb.  These sites were immediately shut off and had appropriate signage installed to inform occupants not to use these fixtures until the appropriate mitigation strategy or fixture replacement is implemented.   The remaining 142 sites had results below 5 ppb or non-detectable levels of lead.

Once a mitigation strategy or fixture replacement is implemented for these (4) sites, the site will be re-tested to ensure it is within the acceptable limits prior to it being placed back into service.

• Thomas - Faucet in Kitchen Serving the Washing Sink TMS-FPW-115A.  
• This faucet was replaced on Friday, December 5, 2017 and has PASSED retesting. This faucet can be returned to service immediately. 
• Click here for the report.
• Olive-Mary Stitt - Faucet in Kitchen Serving Dish-Washing Sink OM-FPW-191.
• This faucet was replaced on Friday, December 5, 2017 and has PASSED retesting.  This faucet can be returned to service immediately.
• Click here for the report.
• Greenbrier - Drinking Fountain in corridor labeled GB-DF-C106B is a porcelain drinking fountain fixture.
• This fountain has been shut off. Further review will be made as to whether this fountain needs to remain in service.
• Greenbrier - Classroom 140 Drinking Fountain GB-DF-140.
• This fountain has been shut off.  The fountain will be replaced during in the summer of 2018 in coordination with the ongoing construction project.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• New Illinois legislation requiring water testing and reporting at levels >5.0 ppb (Public Act 099-0922)
• Illinois Department of Public Health memo on new legislation
• U.S. EPA: English
• U.S. EPA: Español
• U.S. EPA: Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
• Illinois EPA
• Illinois EPA: Resources on Lead

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where did the district conduct testing?

Water sources in all 9 Arlington Heights School District 25 school buildings were tested, not just those attended by students in grades pre-K through five. In total, water from 146 sources was tested.

How much lead is acceptable in water?

The U.S. EPA’s action level for lead in public drinking water supplies is 15.0 parts per billion (ppb). However, a new law in Illinois requires schools to notify parents if a source of water tests at or above 5.0 ppb.

Does washing hands or showering in lead-contaminated water pose a risk?

No. According to the U.S. EPA, washing hands, and even bathing or showering, should be safe for children and adults, even if the water contains lead over U.S. EPA’s action level. This is because human skin does not absorb lead in water.

How were these water samples collected and tested?

Water samples were collected by United Analytical Services, an independent environmental firm. The samples were then analyzed by Pace, an independent licensed laboratory accredited by the Illinois EPA.