Dear Memorial School Community Member:

Eatontown Public Schools is committed to protecting student, faculty, and staff health and the NJ Department of Education has in the past required school districts to test for lead every six years. This regulation was recently updated to require lead testing in schools every three years. In order to protect the school community and remain in compliance with the Department of Education regulations, Eatontown Board of Education tested the drinking water in each school building for lead during the 2021-2022 school year.

In accordance with the Department of Education regulations, Eatontown Board of Education will implement immediate remedial measures for any drinking water outlet with a result greater than the action level of 15 fig/1 (parts per billion [ppb]). This includes turning off the outlet unless it is determined the location must remain on for non-drinking purposes. In these cases, a "DO NOT DRINK - SAFE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY" sign will be posted.

Results of District Testing
Following instructions given in technical guidance developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, a plumbing profile was completed for each of the buildings within Eatontown Public Schools. Through this effort, all drinking water and food preparation outlets were identified and tested. Of the 21 samples taken at Memorial School, all but two (2) tested below the lead action level established by the US Environmental Protection Agency for lead in drinking water (15 pg/1[ppb]).

The table below identifies the drinking water outlets that tested above the 15 pg/1 for lead, the actual lead level, and what temporary remedial action Eatontown Public Schools Board of Education has taken to reduce the levels of lead at these locations.

Sample Location: Teacher's Room Sink 2
First Draw Result in pg/I (ppb): 42.2
Remedial Action: Posted Do Not Drink Sign

Sample Location: Orange Hallway by Fire Door
First Draw Result in pg/I (ppb): 18.9
Remedial Action: Turned off water to fountain

Health Effects of Lead
High levels of lead in drinking water can cause health problems. Lead is most dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and children under six (6) years of age. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. In young children, lead exposure can lower IQ levels, affect hearing, reduce attention span, and hurt school performance. At very high levels, lead can even cause brain damage. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults.

How Lead Enters Drinking Water
Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like groundwater, rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and in building plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass, and chrome-plated brass faucets. In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials. However, even the lead in plumbing materials meeting these new requirements is subject to corrosion. When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into the drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning may contain fairly high levels of lead.

Lead in Drinking Water
Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning can significantly increase a person's total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of children under the age of six (6). The EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20% or more of a person's total exposure to lead.

For More Information
A copy of the test results is available in the Board of Education Office for inspection by the public, including students, teachers, other school personnel, and parents, and can be viewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and are also available on the district website at www.eatontown.org/page/facilities. For more information about water quality in Eatontown Public Schools, contact Mr. Kenneth Dioguardi, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds at (732) 935-3349 or email kdioguardi@eatontown.org.

As part of Eatontown Public Schools’ long-term commitment to protecting the health and safety of the school community, the district is moving to a plan that will replace all hallway water fountains in the district with a filtered water station over the next few years, regardless of the water test results.

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home and the health effects of lead, visit the EPA's website at www.epa.gov/lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your health care provider.

If you are concerned about lead exposure at this facility or in your home, you may want to ask your health care providers about testing children to determine levels of lead in their blood.

Sincerely,

Scott T. McCue
Superintendent of Schools

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