High levels of lead found in water at Butler County elementary school

High levels of lead have been discovered in the drinking water at a Butler County school.

learned the Butler Area School District sent a letter to parents whose children attend Summit Township Elementary School.

According to the letter, elevated lead readings from the well on school property were first detected in September by a maintenance supervisor who was working with the Department of Environmental Protection to address the test results of water in the building.

“We had readings in August with significantly high levels of lead,” Dr. Dale Lumley, superintendent, said in a statement. “Those results were not shared with me or the board until yesterday (Thursday).”

Lumley called the district’s response untimely and inadequate. He ordered that bottled water be used until future test results indicate acceptable levels. Hand sanitizers and wet wipes are being used for hand washing, the letter said.

“We want to take the necessary steps, no matter how long, to ensure that the water is safe to drink,” Lumley said.

The district said it is working with the DEP, a water testing company and heath and water purification consultants to take corrective measures.

Trisha Ayers, a mother of two young girls that attends the school, said the high levels of lead are concerning since her daughters had been drinking the water there since the beginning of the school year.

“I wish we knew. Why didn’t we know?” Ayers said.

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Cox Media Group