Water quality sample test results for New Bedford Public Schools released

New Bedford is among school districts across Massachusetts currently conducting water quality testing with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with samples collected from all taps and fixtures used for drinking, cooking and medical uses at every school. Through this program, water samples have been collected from every tap and fixture used for drinking, cooking and medical use at every school in our district.

DEP has reported water quality sample test results to New Bedford Public Schools and will continue to report them through January as they are conducted. With 1,074 samples in, 1,000 samples or 93% of samples tested are below the Massachusetts Action Level for copper or lead in drinking water. Of the 1,074 samples reported, 74 samples, or approximately 7% of results, registered above the Massachusetts Action Level for copper or lead. The Massachusetts Action Level for copper in drinking water is 1.3 milligrams per liter (also known as parts per million). The Massachusetts Action Level for lead in drinking water is 0.015 milligrams per liter (also known as parts per million).

Copper and lead have not been detected in the water’s source, the city reservoir, but older plumbing systems and fixtures such as some located at schools and other older buildings and houses can contain pipes that allow copper or lead to enter tap water. All faucets and fixtures above the Massachusetts Action Level at the school were shut off upon receiving test results, and these fixtures will be replaced with new equipment.

New Bedford is among several local school districts to undergo the state’s water quality sampling; Acushnet, Fall River, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, Somerset, Wareham and Westport are also participating in the DEP’s program locally.

While DEP will continue to report sample results to New Bedford over the coming weeks, the district has already taken steps to directly inform parents and faculty of the testing results and its short and long term response actions, as well as providing information on copper or lead in drinking water.

“With 7% of results returned to New Bedford by the Department of Environmental Protection above the Massachusetts action level and 93% below the action level, we have taken additional precautionary measures and implemented daily flushing of all drinking water faucets and taps to ensure there is not standing water in our fixtures for long periods of time, which can lead to the buildup in an outlet,” said Andrew O’Leary, school business manager. “Any tap with copper or lead levels above the action level will be shut down and replaced with updated equipment, sampled and tested before being reactivated.”

For MassDEP information on copper and lead in drinking water see:
– Copper: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinking/alpha/a-thru-h/copperfs.pdf
– Lead: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/lead-in-drinking-water.html

For Massachusetts Department of Public Health information on copper and lead see:
– http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/environmental-health/exposure-topics/lead/child-health/sources-of-lead-besides-lead-paint.html.