DeKalb County schools found lead in the water at Laurel Ridge and Oak Grove Elementary schools during the ongoing testing for lead across the system.
Both schools showed lead at multiple sources, from sinks to drinking fountains, but only one cafeteria sink in Laurel Ridge had a level that was above the Environmental Protection Agency’s action level of 15 parts per billion. The sink, which showed a level of nearly 29 parts per billion, was removed, according to a release from the system.
Ten other Laurel Ridge sources, including drinking fountains, showed levels of 1.18 to 11.8 parts per billion.
At Oak Grove Elementary, no water sources exceeded 15 parts per billion, but 8 sinks showed 1.08 to 2.61 parts per billion.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water fountains not exceed lead concentrations of 1 part per billion. Even low levels of lead in children’s blood can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, slowed growth and other problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
No law requires testing water for lead in Georgia schools or day care centers, but school systems began this year, starting with Atlanta.
Federal law requires water systems, such as Atlanta Watershed, to try to reduce lead in drinking water if tests show lead levels above 15 parts per billion.
The school systems are flushing pipes, replacing equipment and making other repairs where higher levels of lead are found.
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