Analysis: 38 Indiana water systems topped EPA lead limit
Posted April 09, 2016 7:00 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An analysis shows that the water system for a western Indiana high school is among nearly 40 in the state that have exceeded federally allowable lead levels at least once since the start of 2013.
The heightened lead levels in the water systems for North Vermillion High School and Baugo Community Schools, in the northern Indiana city of Elkhart, are troubling because of lead's harmful effects on children.
An Associated Press analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data shows that lead levels exceeded the government's allowable level at least once in 38 Indiana water systems since 2013.
North Vermillion interim superintendent Bruce Hatton said crews have replaced water lines and taken other steps that reduced lead levels. Baugo Community Schools officials weren't available to comment because of the district's spring break.
In this Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 photo, water fountains at Eastern High School in Greentown, Ind., are covered with plastic after elevated lead levels were found in the schoolâs water. Eastern Howard Schools temporarily stopped the 1,500 students at its schools from using sinks and drinking fountains in February after testing found lead levels above the federal action level. Students resumed using the water in March after the district implemented protocols to reduce the lead levels. The school district gets its water from the Greentown Water Utility, which is one of 38 water systems in Indiana that have exceeded federally allowable lead levels at least once since the start of 2013, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data. (Kelly Lafferty Gerber/The Kokomo Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
In this Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 photo, a piece of thinning pipe from Eastern Howard School Corp.'s boiler room is shown in Greentown, Ind. The thinning is due to corrosion from increased lead levels. After having its water tested the school found elevated lead levels in the water coming from some of its sinks and drinking fountains and temporarily stopped its 1,500 students from using that water in February. Students resumed using the water in March after the district implemented protocols to reduce the lead levels. The school district gets its water from the Greentown Water Utility, which is one of 38 water systems in Indiana that have exceeded federally allowable lead levels at least once since the start of 2013, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data. (Kelly Lafferty Gerber/The Kokomo Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
This Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 photo shows the sinks at Eastern High School in Greentown, Ind., covered with trash bags to prevent students, staff and visitors from using the water due to concerns about elevated lead levels. Eastern Howard Schools temporarily stopped the 1,500 students at its schools from using sinks and drinking fountains in February after testing found lead levels above the federal action level. Students resumed using the water in March after the district implemented protocols to reduce the lead levels. The school district gets its water from the Greentown Water Utility, which is one of 38 water systems in Indiana that have exceeded federally allowable lead levels at least once since the start of 2013, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data. (Kelly Lafferty Gerber/The Kokomo Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
In this Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 photo, corrosion from increased lead levels is shown in a pipe at Eastern High School in Greentown, Indiana. After having its water tested the Eastern Howard schools found elevated lead levels in the water coming from some of its sinks and drinking fountains and temporarily stopped its 1,500 students from using that water in February. Students resumed using the water in March after the district implemented protocols to reduce the lead levels. The school district gets its water from the Greentown Water Utility, which is one of 38 water systems in Indiana that have exceeded federally allowable lead levels at least once since the start of 2013, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data. (Kelly Lafferty Gerber/The Kokomo Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
This Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 photo shows stacks of water bottles available for students at the Eastern High School office in Greentown, Ind., After having its water tested the Eastern Howard schools found elevated lead levels in the water coming from some of its sinks and drinking fountains and temporarily stopped its 1,500 students from using that water in February. Students resumed using the water in March after the district implemented protocols to reduce the lead levels. (Kelly Lafferty Gerber/The Kokomo Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
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