Get the Lead Out--Water Testing Report, Spring 2024
GET LEAD OUT OF SCHOOL DRINKING WATER ACT REPORT
Lift For Life Academy is committed to the safety and well-being of all students, staff, families and guests who may access water on our campus facilities. This commitment to our learning community aligns with meeting the requirements included in a recent Missouri state law titled, “Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act,” Lift For Life Academy contracted with a professional environmental consulting firm to initiate and complete testing of our water sources for each of our three schools across our shared campus.
The testing process focused on each possible drinking and food preparation water source, not just those that would be seemingly possible or assumed. The testing threshold for determining if a water source is safe to consume is based on a lead concentration level below five parts per billion (5 ppb), which is equal to 5 micrograms per liter. Any test result at or above the 5 ppb standard required corrective action/remediation under MIssouri law. It should be noted that the Missouri standard is more stringent than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended action level of 15 ppb.
Testing of Lift For Life Academy's water sources was conducted in January of 2024. Below is a summary of the test results based on our campus/district wide testing of the elementary, middle and high school buildings.
|
District |
Fixtures Tested |
Fixtures Above 5 PPB |
% below 5 ppb |
% above 5 ppb |
|
Lift For Life Academy |
120 |
4 |
96.7% |
3.3% |
TEST RESULTS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION:
As referenced in the table above, the total number of fixtures testing above the 5 parts per billion for lead was four. Upon identification of these four sources of water, the first-step of corrective action was to take these locations out of service until the district could replace the water dispensing fixtures and supply lines. Upon retesting, the corrective actions of replacing the fixtures and the supply lines led to three of the four sources of water that previously tested above the 5 ppb standard to test below the 5 ppb standard. The last remaining source of water to test above the standard is located within a classroom that services high school age students and have since been identified as non-potable water with clear and easily observed signage.
ADDITIONAL TESTING
In accordance with the statute, we will conduct follow-up testing as required. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our school community will remain the highest of priorities. If you have questions regarding the health of your child or for additional information regarding lead testing, please contact your primary healthcare provider or the City of St. Louis Health Department at (314) 612-5100.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Several web links are included below in an effort to provide stakeholders additional resources and information. In addition, the complete initial testing and retesting reports can also be accessed below. If you have any questions or concerns, then please contact Dr. David LeMay, Director of Operations, at (314) 231-2337, Ext. 234 or via email at [email protected]
Basic information about lead in drinking water