As part of all of the work we do in the Ann Arbor Public Schools to attend to the health and well-being of all our students and staff, we also have our attention on the quality of our drinking water in our schools. We are committed to achieving the lowest possible levels of lead in drinking water in the AAPS, and we take very seriously the risks associated with lead exposure, particularly with our youngest children. 

2018-19 Testing for Lead in Drinking Water Program Update

During this 2018-19 school year, we have reduced the AAPS action level from >15ppb to >5ppb (the FDA standard for bottled water), and we have voluntarily expanded the testing for lead in drinking water program to evaluate all 1,426 drinking water locations at all school campuses across the district.

The 2018-19 testing process is complete, and I am writing today to share an update on our progress with the 2018-19 Testing for Lead in Drinking Water Program and additional steps we have taken this year in the AAPS.

All currently active drinking water locations across all our schools have been tested and are confirmed at 5ppb or below, and filtered hydration stations have been installed in all 32 school locations.

From 32 school campuses and 1,426 drinking water source locations:

• 1,307, or 91.66% of locations, met or exceed the AAPS standard, testing at 5ppb or below,
• an additional 85 locations or 5.96%, test below the EPA action level of 15ppb for municipal public water sources and,
• at 34 locations, or 2.38% of the 1,426 locations tested, water samples flagged above the AAPS and EPA action level.

Additional Steps

As a reminder, additional steps we are currently taking to ensure the lowest possible levels of lead in our AAPS school drinking water include:

1. Filtered water bottle filling stationsare now installed in all our AAPS schools, and we encourage students and staff to use these locations to obtain water for consumption.
   
   During summer 2019, we will have completed the installation of hydration stations, achieving the recommended ratio of 1 hydration station per 100 individuals in all AAPS school locations.
    
2. Continue the flushing of all water systems following school breaks, such as summer, Thanksgiving, winter break, and spring break.
    
3. Install signage in low priority water locations, such as custodial closets, etc., to remind everyone that water in these locations is not for consumption. The work of installing signs will occur during summer 2019.
    
4. Future Testing for Lead In Drinking Water will be completed on an ongoing basis, and results will be communicated directly to all AAPS parents via email, on the a2schools.org website, and shared as an Annual Report to the Board of Education to ensure the Board and community receive this information updated directly each year.

You may view the 2018-19 Annual AAPS Testing for Lead in Drinking Water Report presented at the May 8, 2019 Board meeting here.

In the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we are committed to the health and well-being of all our children and staff and to the important work of preventing and addressing levels of lead in school drinking water. We look forward to maintaining our position as a leading school district in the state and across the country on this very critical issue of student health and safety.

Throughout this testing for lead in drinking water process, we have coordinated our AAPS efforts with our partners at the Washtenaw County Health Department. If you should have additional questions regarding lead and your child’s health, parents are advised to consult with their pediatrician and/or reach out to Washtenaw County Health Department at 734-544-6700.

Sincerely,

Jeanice Kerr Swift
Superintendent of Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools