Ferndale School District’s Response to Lead Testing Inquiry
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 27, 2016)
Ferndale, MI – As they see the images of children in Flint lined up to get bottled water or crying over blood tests, people around the country have been wondering about the safety of the water they and their families use on a day to day basis to cook, clean, bathe and drink.  Parents, teachers and advocates have also been calling for testing of the water in schools.
When lead and copper are issues, it is often caused by old pipes or old fixtures.  Even when old fixtures are there, corrosion control in the water helps protect users.  But testing is the best way to know if the protections are working or not.
After learning that Oakland Schools had put out an RFP for water testing, the oc115 contacted school districts from throughout Oakland County to find out where they stand on testing.
Ferndale Schools Superintendent Blake Prewitt said that Oakland Schools has contacted districts, including Ferndale, with information on testing.
“The districts without city water have the greatest need of this,” Prewitt said.  “Those of us with city water are well regulated and tested by the water authority and also the city water department. For many years Ferndale Schools has been working with a water company [Dihydro] to monitor our buildings and pipes. The company services many school districts in our area. There have not been any issues during the time they have been working with the school. Which has been for many years.”  Documentation of test results was not provided, but will be added to this page if received.
Ferndale Schools includes part of Ferndale, part of Oak Park, part of Royal Oak Township, and Pleasant Ridge.
To read what other school districts had to say, check out Local Schools Vary on Testing for Lead in Water.