Ohio EPA: Unacceptable lead levels in school drinking water

In a January 19 letter to the school district, the Ohio EPA said, “The Gurney Elementary School water system is in violation of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) for failure to perform and submit quality parameters, and for failure to distribute public education information on lead in drinking water”.

(Chagrin Falls) – Bottled water will be passed out to teachers and students at a Chagrin Falls school today after high levels of lead were found in its drinking water.

EPA officials have said they were “too patient” with the Sebring public water system, which found out in August that at least three homes in its water system had water that contained unsafe levels of lead.

EPA spokeswoman Heidi Griesmer confirmed today that the two employees in the northwest field office had been placed on leave.

Children can develop learning disabilities and behavior problems from lead exposure.

Outside researchers working in Flint also noted if residences not tested by the city that also showed extremely high lead levels had been included in the sample results as required, the action level would have been exceeded. Tests conducted at the water treatment plant over the weekend confirmed there is no detectable lead leaving the water treatment.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says water used for hand-washing in restrooms is considered safe.

Right now, that responsibility lies with state and local officials. Residents in the Mahoning County village were not told about any risk until January 21. He said a report on the Ohio EPA’s website indicating elevated levels contradicts what the agency told him. The clinic is for children up to six years of age and pregnant or breastfeeding women, and no appointment is necessary.

The state also moved to remove the water plant manager and sent a team of investigators to the village.

“I’m highly aggravated about it. I could have been at the store buying jugs of water for myself, my dogs, my kids”, he said.

“If they had taken the time to do their job properly, none of this would have been happening”, White said.