State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced that, under a new state program, public schools can receive free testing for lead in drinking water.  The State Water Resources Control Board, in cooperation with the California Department of Education, recently required all community water systems to test school drinking water, upon request by school officials.

 

California’s water agencies regularly test for lead and other contaminants in their systems to comply with both state and federal laws.  Water agencies also use corrosion control measures to prevent any lead that might be present from leaching into tap water.  Lead problems are infrequent in California, which has newer water infrastructure and less corrosive water than other parts of the nation.

 

After careful review and discussion of this new program and taking into consideration the concerns of our community, Superintendent Holly McClurg officially requested that testing be completed at all eight DMUSD school sites.  In June, the City of San Diego Public Utilities Water Department took water samples from all the requested sites which included outdoor drinking fountains and indoor classroom sinks.

 

At the end of June, the City reported that the results for the eight schools were complete and that all values tested were less than the State’s Detection Limit for Reporting (5 ug/L).  Therefore, no further action, at any of the DMUSD school sites, is necessary.  Copies of each site’s results can be found at the District’s website on the Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities page.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities at 858.755.9301 x3685.