FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boise, ID -- 10/17/2018 -- Water tested at Fairmont Junior High School has registered positive for elevated levels of lead. All water faucets and fixtures which failed testing were immediately taken out of service, and are being replaced. Previous testing at Fairmont in 2017 did not show any lead levels above the EPA threshold. However, tests conducted in mid-September of 2018 at the school indicated the presence of lead in some fixtures such as faucets, not from the water source.
In addition to Fairmont, the District has 27 schools built before 1986. In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials. Though the Environmental Protection Agency does not require it, the District is in the process of proactively testing water at 27 other schools built before 1986 and taking extra steps to ensure availability of safe drinking water for students and staff.
As the tests proceed, the District is taking the extra precaution of requiring custodians at each of the 27 schools to follow EPA guidelines by running water at each of the school’s water fixtures each morning and in the afternoon to clear the lines, altering water bottle policies, and reaching out to the public. The 27 schools are:
- Adams
- Boise
- Borah
- Capital
- Collister
- Fairmont
- Fort Boise
- Garfield
- Hawthorne
- Highlands
- Hillcrest
- Hillside
- Jefferson
- Koelsch
- Longfellow
- Liberty
- Madison
- Maple Grove
- Monroe
- Mountain View
- North
- Owyhee
- Pierce Park
- Taft
- Valley View
- Washington
- Whittier
While we know that this information may cause some concern, we are taking the necessary steps to address the situation and confirm the safety of water throughout the district. Alternative water will be available for those families who choose not to use the school's drinking water.
Boise School District is also working with state and federal authorities to ensure an appropriate response.
In the Boise School District, there is nothing that we take more seriously than the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We will continue to update the community as additional testing is conducted and work is completed.
