Lead Found in Drinking Water at Seven Asheville Schools Raises Health Concerns

Lead Detected in Seven Schools in Asheville

Asheville residents were recently hit with some concerning news as it was announced that lead has been detected in drinking water at seven local schools. This revelation came after Asheville Water Resources had to pause its standard lead mitigation treatment for nearly three weeks due to high levels of sedimentation in the city’s main reservoir. Water and health officials made this announcement during the daily briefing on Thursday.

Understanding the Situation

Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler clarified that the lead presence was primarily due to the fact that school buildings, including their plumbing systems, remained inactive for several weeks. Even though this is alarming, officials emphasized that students were not exposed to lead since water fountains at these schools have been closed since students returned to the classroom.

Chandler mentioned that the city received the final lab results regarding lead levels on November 8. Within 24 hours, all schools where detectible levels of lead were found were informed. The affected schools include Oakley Elementary School, Sand Hill Elementary School, Charles C. Bell Elementary School, and Glen Arden Elementary School in the county system, alongside Lucy Herring Elementary and Hall Fletcher Elementary in the city system, plus Odyssey Community School, a private institution.

The Risks of Lead Exposure

Lead is a toxic metal that poses significant health risks, particularly to young children. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established that the acceptable level of lead in drinking water is set at zero, due to its potential to cause developmental delays and learning issues in kids. However, Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, medical director for Buncombe County’s Department of Health & Human Services, and Chandler confirmed that no students have consumed lead-contaminated water in these schools.

“It’s crucial to note that the students have not consumed the tap water in any of these schools or child care facilities,” said Chandler. As a precaution, schools will continue to keep their water fountains closed, and the EPA has advised them to install certified filters designed specifically to reduce lead levels in water.

What Happened?

The trouble began when Tropical Storm Helene struck Asheville on September 27, leading to the outage of the North Fork Reservoir, which supplies a whopping 80% of the city’s drinking water. While non-potable water was restored by mid-October, the reservoir remained murky, preventing the return of safe drinking water until at least early to mid-December.

During this period, Asheville Water Resources wasn’t able to provide corrosion control measures, opting to use chlorine only for treatment, which can unfortunately corrode pipes that contain lead, potentially leaching the metal into the water supply.

The city’s regular treatment involves using zinc orthophosphate and sodium bicarbonate, which work together to coat the insides of pipes and absorb lead, protecting the water from contamination. However, this treatment was halted for about 19 days, and as a result, officials are now trying to flush the schools’ water lines to mitigate any potential lead levels.

Steps Being Taken

To reassure concerned parents, Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson and Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman expressed that only bottled water has been consumed on-site at the schools during this incident. Schools took preparatory measures by ensuring that water fountains were covered prior to students returning.

Chandler and compliance manager Brenna Cook affirmed that flushing protocols are essential, particularly for plumbing installed before 1988 when lead was commonly used in pipes. The city is grappling with the fact that about 60% of homes in the water system were constructed before this lead ban, which heightens the risk of lead exposure for many residents.

Encouragement for Community Participation

City officials are encouraging homeowners, especially those living in older homes, to consider participating in the city’s free lead and copper drinking water testing program. Residents can reach out to the Water Resources department directly for more information.

While the lead detected in schools has raised significant concerns, authorities continue to work diligently to navigate this situation and keep the public informed. For now, parents are urged to consult their healthcare providers if they think their children may have been exposed to lead. It’s a community-wide effort aimed at ensuring every child’s health and safety.