Waukegan schools to replace some pipes, water fountains
Photo: Shutterstock
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - Officials say they will replace water fountains and pipes used for drinking water for preschoolers and kindergartners in Waukegan School District 60 after high lead levels were found.
The Lake County News-Sun reports that the decision came after a study initially found 10 percent of the district's water sources had lead levels greater than 15 parts per billion, which is the action level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water.
All water sources at the action level will be removed or replaced regardless of location.
Deputy superintendent of operations, safety and facilities for the district, William Newby says the district hired a company this summer to do the tests for $22,000 in an effort to be proactive after lead was discovered in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, and throughout Chicago Public Schools.
___
Information from: Lake County News-Sun, http://newssun.chicagotribune.com/