Lead testing continues at Polk schools

BARTOW — A faucet at Winston Academy of Engineering in Lakeland continues to be problematic for lead testing, a Polk County School District official said Monday afternoon.

Rory Luce, the Polk County Public Schools maintenance manager, said the faucet, which is in classroom 4 in Building 7, tested high for lead a second time and is now undergoing a third test. The first reading last month was at 1,420 parts per billion — more than 94 times the level at which the Environmental Protection Agency says action should be taken, which is 15 parts per billion. A second test taken last week showed it was still at 20 parts per billion.

“The valve was turned off,” said Luce, adding that a brownish liquid came out of the faucet for the first and second tests. For a third test last week, they left the faucet on until the water ran clear. “They went back and took a clear sample and that’s what’s at the lab now. It has a rush order.”

They have replaced all fixtures up to the wall to try to solve the problem. If this third test doesn’t came back lower than 15 parts per billion, Luce has said the plumbing line into the classroom will have to be replaced.

Union Academy in Bartow, which also tested high last week, has been cleared to resume using regular water for all drinking and cooking after a second test was below the 15 parts per billion threshold.

Luce, who is spearheading the School District’s voluntary testing of more than 150 schools and facilities, said five more schools were tested last week, with results expected by Friday, bringing the total to 10. Those schools are:

• Bartow Middle School, built in 1962.

• Ben Hill Griffin Elementary in Frostproof, built in 1992.

• Bethune Academy in Haines City, built in 1957.

• Frostproof Elementary, built in 1950.

• James A. Stephens Elementary in Bartow, built in 1976.

Five more schools will be tested this week, as well. They are:

• Dale R. Fair, formerly known as Babson Park Elementary School, built in 1920.

• Eastside Elementary, built in 1914.

• Floral Avenue Elementary in Bartow, built in 1958.

• Frostproof Middle/Senior High, built in 1955.

• Jean O’Dell Learning Center in Bartow, built in 1975.

The district began testing for lead contamination in drinking and cooking water after the Hillsborough County School District found lead in some schools’ drinking water over the summer. A private testing company is collecting samples from 30 randomly selected spots in each school that could serve as drinking or cooking water sources, including water fountains, bathroom sinks and kitchen faucets.

Lead was commonly used in pipes and plumbing fixtures until 1986, when it was outlawed because government officials realized it was contaminating drinking water. The heavy metal is not flushed from the human body, but instead builds up in organs, including the brain, and can cause myriad illnesses.

Luce said they should be finished testing all sites in mid-January.

Kimberly C. Moore can be reached at kmoore@theledger.com or 863-802-7514. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger.