Andover School Update on Lead and Copper in Water

ANDOVER - Superintendent of Schools Sheldon Berman reports that the Andover Public Schools are continuing to work to eliminate lead and copper from the water systems by removing fixtures and installing water filters after elevated levels were found at two schools earlier this year.

School officials have had several outdated and broken water fixtures removed from the West Elementary School and Shawsheen Preschool after elevated lead levels were found in the fixtures at the West Elementary School and elevated copper levels were found in a fixture at Shawsheen.

Officials also ordered the installation of filters on five water fountains at the West Elementary School. Although the old fountains were found to be below the limits for lead, school officials authorized the installation of the filters to further increase the purity and safety of the water, "while offering peace of mind,'' Berman said.

Aggressive follow-up testing was done on March 21 and the results are due in April.

The School Department continues to deal with one "problematic'' site, Berman said.

A fixture was removed from room C12 at the West Elementary School and replaced with a new fixutre, but it still showed elevated lead levels. The plumbing and copper pipes feeding that were fixture were replaced and the level levels rose, he said.

"This fixture is currently off limits, and the facilities department is investigating a number of possible causes,'' Berman said.

The School Department stresses that there is no risk to the health and safety of any students, faculty and staff, but is continuing to take precautions to ensure safety, he said. Berman has also included the water-quality reports in the "Statement of Interest'' that will soon be submitted to the School Building Authority as part of a proposal for state funds to help renovate or replace the West Elementary School.

"While the Andover Public Schools will do everything it can today to ensure the safety of our students and the purity of the water used for drinking, cooking and cleaning, we acknowledge that the West Elementary School building is nearing the end of its service life,'' Berman said.

Berman noted that the high levels of lead and copper are not coming from the town's water supply, but rather they are directly correlated to the age and lack of use of the fixtures. The schools do not have any lead pipes.

The Andover Public Schools are notifying all families and staff about the test results via Connect5 and through a news release to the media. There will also be a public forum for parents, which will include representatives from the schools, facilities, Health Division and Public Works Department.

Those seeking additional information can download fact sheets on lead and copper levels in drinking water, which contain information from the Department of Environmental Protection. Anyone with questions or concerns can call the superintendent's office at 978-247-7010.

Courtesy photo by shutterstock.