Water Testing Planned at Mount Vernon City School District

From Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of Mount Vernon City Schools:

Recent events in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and other states have prompted many school districts to test drinking water for lead.  As part of our commitment to ensuring a safe environment for our students, staff and visitors, the Mount Vernon City School District will conduct independent water quality sampling for lead from drinking water sources in all of our operating school buildings. Testing will be conducted throughout the district over the next several weeks.

This testing is not required by law or regulation. And, we have no information that suggests there are any elevated levels of lead in drinking water in our schools. However, based on national events, this testing is being performed as a precaution. The District has worked with the Westchester Department of Health, Mount Vernon Water Department, and several private consultants to develop a comprehensive water sampling plan for the district. The plan has been reviewed by the Department of Health.

The sampling will be conducted by an independent engineering consulting firm with assistance from our facilities staff, with technical support from an independent Certified Industrial Hygienist. Sampling will take place in early mornings before school starts, or on weekends, and is not expected to interfere with normal activities for students and staff. Samples will be forwarded to an independent Accredited Laboratory for analysis. Upon receipt of laboratory results, the consultants will provide the district with results and any recommendations. In the meantime, please see the District website,www.mtvernoncsd.org, for updates.