Pontiac School District’s Response to Lead Testing Inquiry
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 27, 2016)
Pontiac, 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.
Pontiac Schools spokesperson RoNeisha Mullen responded, stating ” “The district is following the MDEQ guidelines for determining if a lead risk is present in the drinking water. A comprehensive facility condition assessment by an independent third party is underway and a plan for water testing won’t be developed until the assessment report is delivered later this summer.”
Pontiac Schools serve all of Pontiac plus parts of Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, Sylvan Lake, Bloomfield Township, Orion Township, Waterford and West Bloomfield.
To read what other school districts had to say, check out Local Schools Vary on Testing for Lead in Water.