Results of high school water retesting

Posted by Riverdale School District on 11/30/2016 11:00:00 AM

At the beginning of November, we shared with you the results from the additional water sources tested at Riverdale High School. 

As you may recall, only a few spots in the school showed some elevated levels of lead, above the Environmental Protection Agency’s trigger level. These included both locker rooms and two lower level restrooms. Per recommended protocols, we restricted access to all of the affected areas pending retesting. The retests called for flushing the water sources for 30 minutes prior to collecting samples. (Most of the sources that tested above the lead trigger level had not been run for months prior to the original testing.) 

After flushing and retesting, the vast majority of samples are now below the trigger level. Just a few showerheads and sink faucets still showed elevated traces of lead, which indicate an issue with the fixtures. 

Next steps:

• We will be capping off any showerhead or sink faucet that still showed elevated traces of lead. We will replace these fixtures and test once more before allowing students to access them.
• We will allow students to begin using the showers and sinks that tested within acceptable ranges.

We are also currently developing protocols for flushing all water lines through all fixtures in both schools prior to the start of school each year. Sedentary water plays a big part in elevated test levels. 

It is also important to remember that none of these sources – all sinks and showers – are used for drinking water. Drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations are available for students

Additional grade school water testing

Posted by Riverdale School District on 11/1/2016

As we reported last month, in addition to testing all the water sources in our school buildings built before 1986, we made the decision to go ahead and test all remaining sources of water in both schools. 

The grade school testing results have been received. These have shown some elevated levels of lead, above the Environmental Protection Agency’s trigger level, in the following areas of the school:

• Seven (7) second floor classroom sinks
• One (1) first floor classroom sink
• The shower in the nurse’s room

None of these sources are used for drinking water. They are also rarely used. Some may ask why lead would be present in some fixtures installed in a newer building such as our grade school. The answer, in short, is that the allowance level of lead in brass fixtures was not significantly lowered until 2014. 

We have restricted access to all water sources in these affected areas pending retesting. Protocols for retesting call for flushing these sources with running water prior to testing. Based on the results of the retesting, a decision will be made for a final solution. More details will be shared once the retesting results have been received.

Additional high school water testing

Posted by Riverdale School District on 10/19/2016

As we reported last month, in addition to testing all the water sources in our school buildings built before 1986, we made the decision to go ahead and test all remaining sources of water in both schools.

So far, only the results for the high school have been received. These have shown some elevated levels of lead, above the Environmental Protection Agency’s trigger level, in two primary areas of the school:

• Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms
• Gym Lobby Men’s Restroom

Additionally, only one sink in the lower level women’s restroom near the elevator has shown elevated levels. 

None of these sources – all sinks and showers – are used for drinking water. They are also rarely used, and had not been run for months prior to testing. 

We have restricted access to all water sources in these affected areas pending retesting. Protocols for retesting call for flushing these sources with running water prior to testing. Based on the results of the retesting, a decision will be made for a final solution. More details will be shared once the retesting results have been received.

Status of lead/water testing at our schools

Posted by Riverdale School District on 9/14/2016 5:10:00 PM

Status of lead testing at the grade school

As we reported this summer (see earlier post), none of the water sources tested in buildings built before 1986 on the grade school campus were above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead. After noting that the water fountain in the music room showed minimal traces of lead – less than half the EPA/OSDH limit, we had planned to replace the fountain. However, after recognizing that the music room fountain was not being used because bottled water is available in the music room, we have opted instead to turn off water to that fountain entirely. Additionally, we have gone ahead and had every water source in the school tested. These new test results are pending. 

Status of lead testing at the high school

As we reported last month (see earlier post), only one high school water source in the older part of the building was slightly above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead – 28.9 parts per billion vs. the trigger level of 20 ppb (note that this number has been corrected since the original notice, which erroneously listed 23.9). This source was a sink located in the teacher’s station in one of the lower level science classrooms. No other sinks in the classroom tested above the trigger level. The recommended protocol was to retest after flushing water through the faucet to confirm the first results before replacing the faucet. After that second test, we still found 21.8 ppb of lead, therefore we will now turn off water to that sink. A decision will be made at a later date whether or not to replace, since the faucet is rarely used. Additionally, we have gone ahead and had every water source in the school tested. These new test results are pending.

Riverdale High School’s water-testing results are in

Posted by Riverdale School District on 8/4/2016 3:00:00 PM

As you know, Riverdale School District is committed to protecting the health of our students, teachers and staff. To that end, earlier this summer we performed voluntary sample water testing for lead in any accessible water sources in school buildings constructed before 1986 (view original testing notice below). 

In July, we sent out a message (see below) saying the test results for the grade school campus (music building, gym and the Commons) showed no water sources above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead. 

Now, we have also received the results for the original front section of the high school building. Of all water sources tested, only one was slightly above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead (28.9 parts per billion vs. the trigger level of 20 ppb – number has been corrected since original notice). This source was a sink located in the teacher’s station in one of the lower level science classrooms. No other sinks in the classroom tested at this level, therefore the suspected source of lead is the faucet fittings in the sink. We will be replacing the teacher’s faucet, and water testing will be repeated to ensure the issue is resolved.

Riverdale Grade School receives water-testing results

Posted by Riverdale School District on 7/1/2016 11:00:00 AM

Riverdale School District is committed to protecting the health of our students, teachers and staff. To that end, we recently performed voluntary sample water testing for lead in any accessible water sources in buildings constructed before 1986 (view original testing notice below). On Riverdale Grade School’s campus, this includes the music building, gym and the Commons. At Riverdale High School, this includes the original front section of the building. 

To date, we have received the test results for the grade school campus. Of all water sources tested, none were above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead. We did note that the water fountain in the music room, which had not been in use for some time, showed minimal traces of lead – less than half the EPA/OSDH limit. The suspected source of lead is the fittings in the drinking fountain, which is original to the building. Water tested from other sources in the music building came back clear. This summer, we will be replacing the music room’s water fountain, and water testing will be repeated to ensure the issue is resolved. 

Due to the high volume of schools conducting water tests, our high school results are still pending. We will send another notice when we receive those results.

Riverdale School District to test drinking water

Posted by Riverdale School District on 6/1/2016 2:00:00 PM

Due to concerns raised in Portland, Riverdale School District is taking immediate steps toward voluntarily testing for lead in our drinking water. We are following information and guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency for lead testing in our older facilities. 

We will be testing any accessible water source in buildings constructed before 1986.On Riverdale Grade School’s campus, this includes the music building, gym and the Commons. At Riverdale High School, this includes the original front section of the building. 

We hope to have the water samples collected this week at the grade school, and following the last day of school at the high school. Results should take approximately 10 business days to process. 

Testing results, as well as any needed response, will be immediately communicated with families. 

If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 503-262-4840

Additional high school water testing

Posted by Riverdale School District on 10/19/2016

As we reported last month, in addition to testing all the water sources in our school buildings built before 1986, we made the decision to go ahead and test all remaining sources of water in both schools.

So far, only the results for the high school have been received. These have shown some elevated levels of lead, above the Environmental Protection Agency’s trigger level, in two primary areas of the school:

• Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms
• Gym Lobby Men’s Restroom

Additionally, only one sink in the lower level women’s restroom near the elevator has shown elevated levels. 

None of these sources – all sinks and showers – are used for drinking water. They are also rarely used, and had not been run for months prior to testing. 

We have restricted access to all water sources in these affected areas pending retesting. Protocols for retesting call for flushing these sources with running water prior to testing. Based on the results of the retesting, a decision will be made for a final solution. More details will be shared once the retesting results have been received.

Status of lead/water testing at our schools

Posted by Riverdale School District on 9/14/2016 5:10:00 PM

Status of lead testing at the grade school

As we reported this summer (see earlier post), none of the water sources tested in buildings built before 1986 on the grade school campus were above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead. After noting that the water fountain in the music room showed minimal traces of lead – less than half the EPA/OSDH limit, we had planned to replace the fountain. However, after recognizing that the music room fountain was not being used because bottled water is available in the music room, we have opted instead to turn off water to that fountain entirely. Additionally, we have gone ahead and had every water source in the school tested. These new test results are pending. 

Status of lead testing at the high school

As we reported last month (see earlier post), only one high school water source in the older part of the building was slightly above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead – 28.9 parts per billion vs. the trigger level of 20 ppb (note that this number has been corrected since the original notice, which erroneously listed 23.9). This source was a sink located in the teacher’s station in one of the lower level science classrooms. No other sinks in the classroom tested above the trigger level. The recommended protocol was to retest after flushing water through the faucet to confirm the first results before replacing the faucet. After that second test, we still found 21.8 ppb of lead, therefore we will now turn off water to that sink. A decision will be made at a later date whether or not to replace, since the faucet is rarely used. Additionally, we have gone ahead and had every water source in the school tested. These new test results are pending.

Riverdale High School’s water-testing results are in

Posted by Riverdale School District on 8/4/2016 3:00:00 PM

As you know, Riverdale School District is committed to protecting the health of our students, teachers and staff. To that end, earlier this summer we performed voluntary sample water testing for lead in any accessible water sources in school buildings constructed before 1986 (view original testing notice below). 

In July, we sent out a message (see below) saying the test results for the grade school campus (music building, gym and the Commons) showed no water sources above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead. 

Now, we have also received the results for the original front section of the high school building. Of all water sources tested, only one was slightly above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead (28.9 parts per billion vs. the trigger level of 20 ppb – number has been corrected since original notice). This source was a sink located in the teacher’s station in one of the lower level science classrooms. No other sinks in the classroom tested at this level, therefore the suspected source of lead is the faucet fittings in the sink. We will be replacing the teacher’s faucet, and water testing will be repeated to ensure the issue is resolved.

Riverdale Grade School receives water-testing results

Posted by Riverdale School District on 7/1/2016 11:00:00 AM

Riverdale School District is committed to protecting the health of our students, teachers and staff. To that end, we recently performed voluntary sample water testing for lead in any accessible water sources in buildings constructed before 1986 (view original testing notice below). On Riverdale Grade School’s campus, this includes the music building, gym and the Commons. At Riverdale High School, this includes the original front section of the building. 

To date, we have received the test results for the grade school campus. Of all water sources tested, none were above the Environmental Protection Agency or Oregon State Department of Health’s trigger level for lead. We did note that the water fountain in the music room, which had not been in use for some time, showed minimal traces of lead – less than half the EPA/OSDH limit. The suspected source of lead is the fittings in the drinking fountain, which is original to the building. Water tested from other sources in the music building came back clear. This summer, we will be replacing the music room’s water fountain, and water testing will be repeated to ensure the issue is resolved. 

Due to the high volume of schools conducting water tests, our high school results are still pending. We will send another notice when we receive those results.

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• Riverdale School District to test drinking water

  Posted by Riverdale School District on 6/1/2016 2:00:00 PM

  Due to concerns raised in Portland, Riverdale School District is taking immediate steps toward voluntarily testing for lead in our drinking water. We are following information and guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency for lead testing in our older facilities. 

  We will be testing any accessible water source in buildings constructed before 1986.On Riverdale Grade School’s campus, this includes the music building, gym and the Commons. At Riverdale High School, this includes the original front section of the building. 

  We hope to have the water samples collected this week at the grade school, and following the last day of school at the high school. Results should take approximately 10 business days to process. 

  Testing results, as well as any needed response, will be immediately communicated with families. 

  If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 503-262-4840.

  Comments (0)