Lead levels in drinking water have increased in Montgomery County elementary and middle schools, according to results released this month. MCPS has recently undertaken a comprehensive analysis of the lead levels across the county, and of the 14 schools tested thus far, lead levels exceeding the state standard have turned up in five: Gaithersburg, Summit Hall, New Hampshire Estates, Pine Crest, and Eastern.
Faucets were shown to have lead concentrations over three times the limit recommended by the EPA in some of the schools. Principal Matt Johnson of Eastern Middle School assured parents that the water stations with high lead concentrations would be taken out of commission until the issue can be solved. Furthermore, Derek Turner, spokesman for the Board of Education, said any schools with water that had lead concentrations exceeding the recommended limit would receive remediation.
While many parents appreciate the effort MCPS has made to efficiently communicate test results, they are now demanding that further action be taken to ensure the health and safety of students. Even low levels of lead can impair students’ academic performances through weakening their ability to concentrate, and negatively impacting their IQ. It is especially necessary for elementary schools to act immediately, as younger kids are much more vulnerable to the negative effects of lead exposure.
The issue of lead concentration in drinking water has occurred before in Maryland, when the Baltimore school system shut down water fountains throughout the entire district in 2007. To prevent this from happening in our county, MCPS has committed to developing and implementing a remediation plan based on test results that includes installing filters, replacing, and permanently removing water fountains.
With new legislation being put into place at the state level, parents hope it won’t be another ten years until students’ drinking water is tested for toxicants.
Article by MoCo Student staff writer Sreelekha Chillanki of Richard Montgomery High School