Lead Testing
Dear Pawnee Parents,
The 2017-2018 school year is here! We are very excited for the school year to begin. During the summer the school district performed comprehensive sampling for lead in our potable water sources. These sources are utilized for drinking and cooking. The sampling was mandated by Senate Bill 550 passed in Illinois. The Pawnee School District hired Occupational Environmental Health Solutions (OEHS) to conduct the study in accordance to Senate Bill 550 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency document titled “Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Care Facilities.” Sampling was performed by OEHS and preliminary results showed 51 of the 87 samples were greater than the 5 parts per billion allowed.
What does this mean? The water fountains that did not meet samples were older water fountains that used lead solder within them. The Pawnee School District immediately removed these water fountains and are replacing them with new water fountains. Hand sinks within some classrooms and some bathrooms were also affected. We are in the process of putting signs up to remind students and staff not to drink from these sinks. Our kitchen passed with the exception of a restroom sink for staff members, a hand sprayer, and the dishwasher. The sink will have a sign posted to remind people not to drink from it. The hand sprayer and dishwasher are on the same system. They are in the process of going through retesting because they were missed during the required flushing portion of the test. As soon as the full report is finished, I will put it on the website for you to see.
The school district is fully committed to ensuring the safety of our students. More information about lead drinking water can be obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency at
http://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/drinking-water-schools-and-childcare-facilities. If you have further questions, please call the unit office.
Sincerely,
Gary M. Alexander, Superintendent
Pawnee CUSD #11