Four Ossining Schools Test Above EPA Levels For Lead In Water

OSSINING, N.Y. -- The Ossining School District will hold two informational sessions on Monday, June 13 at Anne M. Dorner Middle School for parents and concerned citizens after high levels of lead were found at four Ossining schools during water testing of all area school.

Four Ossining schools, including Ossining High School, were found to have high levels of lead in the water during testing.
Photo Credit: *File*

K Reakes

06/11/2016 2:00 p.m.

The district began testing the water earlier this month as a precaution after high levels of lead was found in in other schools in the area.

The district hired Quality Environmental Solutions and Technologies, Inc. to test the water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommended action level for lead in drinking water at schools is 20 parts per billion. During the sampling, 78 of the 93 sources tested were below EPA levels.

In a letter to parents, school officials said samples taken at Park School and Anne M. Dorner Middle School were all below the EPA recommended action level. According to school officials, all of the other schools tested above the recommended level including Ossining High School, Roosevelt School, Claremont School and Brookside School.

Where test results exceeded the (EPA) recommended action level for lead in drinking water at schools, in the district decided to close off the drinking water sources with elevated levels of lead.

To make sure the readings are correct, The Westchester County Department of Health and Health will review the results of the sampling and will work with the district to determine what further sampling and corrective actions should take place.

The district will hold meetings at 4 p.m and 6 p.m. and representatives from QUEST and the county health department will be on hand to answer any questions.

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