Press release:
Broad regional and national concern regarding institutional water quality prompted the Batavia City School District to voluntarily test the water in all of our school district buildings at the end of the 2015-16 school year.
While not a public water supply issue, as all public water supplies are subject to regular water quality testing, our district voluntarily took the proactive step of testing the water sources in each of our school buildings for lead concentrations as a precaution and out of abundance of care for our students and staff.
The District contracted with Leader Professional Services Inc., which collected multiple samples from locations in each building (for example, drinking fountains, kitchen sinks, classroom sinks, custodial closets, etc.).
The samples were then tested through a certified lab that follows protocols set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
We tested 353 fixtures throughout the District. Three fixtures did not meet the USEPA's guidelines. They are:
- A restroom wash sink at an outdoor bathroom at John Kennedy School;
- A classroom sink at the Robert Morris building in a room not currently used;
- A sink in the lunchroom at the Richmond Memorial Library.
Upon our receipt of these results, the affected sources were taken out of service and an investigation was implemented to correct these problems.
While we know that this information may cause some concern, the District has taken the necessary steps to address the situation and confirm the safety of water throughout the District. There is nothing that we take more seriously than the well-being of our students and staff.
