Lead found in more Cape district schools

Water-testing results for Cape district schools that were not previously available have been released and show Sussex Consortium is the only school building where elevated levels of lead were not found.

The sources of lead, as was found to be the case with the previous schools, were determined to be physical fixtures on the water sources, said Cape Public Relations Coordinator Steph DeMalto in an email May 11. The fixtures will be replaced, she said.

The recent findings show that elevated levels of lead were found in three kitchen faucets at Lewes Elementary; one kitchen faucet at Love Creek Elementary; a room sink faucet at Rehoboth Elementary; and a basement room sink, a kitchen faucet and 15 room water fountains at Milton Elementary.

“If the water source is not a consumption point, appropriate signage was placed on the fixture directing individuals not to drink the water while the district pursues remedial efforts,” DeMalto said. “Once remediation efforts are complete, the fixtures will be retested and cleared before being utilized for consumption again.”

Results reported in March showed that sampled water in certain sources at Cape High, H.O. Brittingham Elementary, and Beacon and Mariner middle schools had elevated levels of lead. Water sources that were identified as having elevated levels were turned off and remediation efforts began, district officials said.

At the time, results were not yet available for Lewes, Love Creek, Milton and Rehoboth elementary schools, or Sussex Consortium.

In April, Cape district officials said the physical fixtures on the water sources were determined to be the cause of elevated lead levels and they would be replaced. 

In December, the Delaware Department of Education announced it had contracted with the private firm Batta Environmental Associates to conduct lead testing at drinking water consumption points in every Delaware public school. Testing was performed at Cape district schools in mid-March.

The state school drinking water testing program is a result of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Delaware Department of Education with support from the Delaware Division of Public Health.

Cape district results are available at bit.ly/3BBGjqJ. For more information about the testing program, go to de.gov/schoolwater.