News

Graham Calls For DCPS Urgent Action to Address High Lead Levels in Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John De Taeye
(202) 724-8031

February 14, 2007

Washington, DC – Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham and Chairman of the Public Works and the Environment Committee today called for DC Public Schools to take “urgent action” to inspect the drinking water for possible lead contamination in certain DCPS facilities. As recently as January 2007, high levels of lead in the drinking water was discovered at two DC public schools and three other schools since August.

“The levels are alarming, as they may very well lead to elevated levels of lead in the school children’s blood, “said Interim Director of the Department of the Environment, Corey Buffo.

“Preventing child lead poisoning of all kinds, most particularly from water and lead, has been a long held commitment of mine since joining the Council” said Councilmember Graham at today’s Department of Environment Oversight Hearing. “DCPS has a responsibility to ensure that our children’s safety and health are their utmost concern.”

In today’s Oversight Hearing, DC Water and Sewage Authority General Manager, Jerry M. Johnson, stated that all pipes leading to DC public schools are made of copper and “lead free” and the high lead levels identified are a result of conditions within the “infrastructure of the schools themselves”. According to the Environmental Protection Agency and Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) drinking water safety protocol, drinking fountain filters in schools are to be required every six months. “We want to make sure this most critical protocol is being followed by DCPS,” said Councilmember Graham.

Schools showing lead in the drinking water include: Bowens Elementary; Deal Junior High School; Hearst Elementary; Kenilworth Elementary and Watkins Elementary.

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