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Levels of lead, a
toxic substance that can damage the nervous system, exceeding
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum were found in
14 fountains and sinks at Creston and Rose City Park in March,
according to a statement released by the district on Friday.
In an email to parents and staff on Friday, the Portland Public
Schools said that it failed to follow EPA protocols when it kept
the fountains and sinks supplied with water while it worked to
replace and retest many of the fixtures.
"We apologize for not following this protocol," the district
said.
The district added that it "regrets not having notified families
and staff as soon as the tests indicated that there were
elevated levels of lead."
The Portland Public Schools announcement comes as water quality
in schools and communities across the United States come under
heavy scrutiny after high levels of lead were found in the water
in Flint, Michigan, a community of 100,000 people.
Public officials have been blamed for poorly handling the crisis
in Flint as three state and local officials were criminally
charged in April in an investigation into their handling of the
lead levels.
A mother of two Portland school children said in an email to
Reuters late on Friday evening that she was furious.
"I actually became a bit shaky, that type of heart-pounding mad.
I shocked that they would knowingly allow children to drink
poisoned water," Elizabeth Silva said.
In a statement and a second email to parents on Friday, the
district vowed to take steps to address the issue including
shutting off drinking fountains throughout system and providing
staff and students with bottled water until the end of the
school year.
The district also said it will also use bottled water for all
food preparation and disposable plates and utensils for the
remainder of the year.
Results of additional testing at the two schools will be made
public during the week of June 6 and water testing will be done
across the district this summer, the district said.
Portland Public Schools also promised to assist in testing
children for lead poisoning starting June 6.
(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee)
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