Environmental Resources
Okemos Public Schools
Last updated: September 13, 2024
Testing at Chippewa Middle School
The following timeline shows when water was tested at OPM and when the district received test results:
& 13
WATER TESTING LATEST UPDATE FROM THE INGHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
The Ingham County Health Department clarified when to seek a blood lead test for your student if you would like to have them tested.
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“A blood lead test can tell if a person has had recent or ongoing exposures to lead. While the lead in the body will decrease gradually after exposure stops, those who have concerns regarding recent or ongoing lead exposure should receive a blood lead test.”
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Our communications reflect the guidance we received from the environmental health and childhood lead experts at the health department and from the environmental testing company ERG. We continue to share and seek feedback on our communications with them throughout the process. As a district, we recognize where our expertise ends and where we need their support.
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Click the ICHD communication button above or click here to read more information on timing and type of blood lead testing, handwashing, and more.
2024 Testing
March 2024: As follow up to testing results in February, Environmental Resources Group sampled water from 15 additional spaces including the main office, cafeteria, bottle fillers, bathrooms near the auditorium, four classrooms, restrooms, and the kitchen in the Senior Center. Our district limit for action is 5 ppb - although the goal will always be no detectable lead.
15 AREAS TESTED
March 13 & 14, 2024
Cafeteria Kitchen Sink = undetected
Bottle Filler Near A 117 = undetected
Bottle Filler Near A106 = undetected
Bottle Filler Near Senior Center = undetected
C 101: Foods Lab = undetected
C 106: Capozzo = undetected
Senior Center Kitchen = undetected
F 101: Band Room = 81 ppb
Restroom Near F 106 = 3 ppb
Bottle Filler Near B 103 = undetected
C 101: Foods Lab = undetected
B 116: B-Wing Science Lab = 9 ppb
F106 Bathroom Sink, 1st draw = 10 ppb
F106 Bathroom Sink, 2nd draw = 3 ppb
C105 = undetected
Main Office Workroom, 1st draw = undetected
Main Office Workroom, 2nd draw = undetected
Main Office Workroom, 3rd draw = undetected
The district will follow ERG's recommendations to clean faucet aerators and run water for 10 minutes each school day to flush the pipes. Buildings constructed before 1987 have a greater likelihood of lead-based solder in pipes.
We have been asking our staff to direct students to drink water only from filtered bottle filling stations throughout the building until further testing is completed. These bottle fillers filter out lead and other contaminants. Signs are posted showing where students should fill their water bottles, and where they should not drink out of faucets.
If you would like for your student to be tested for lead exposure, you can contact our partners at the Ingham County Health Department or your pediatrician’s office. A blood lead test can tell if a person has had recent or ongoing exposures to lead. While the lead in the body will decrease gradually after exposure stops, those who have concerns regarding recent or ongoing lead exposure should receive a blood lead test. If you have additional questions, contact the ICHD Lead Testing Team at 517-887-4479.
February 2024: After concerns about discolored water in the auditorium and gymnasium areas at Chippewa Middle School, the district had water from seven faucets tested by Environmental Resources Group. Test results from the auditorium's bathroom sinks had elevated levels of lead. The bathroom faucets in the men's and women's restrooms outside of the gym came back undetected.
7 AREAS TESTED
February 12, 2024
Men's Restroom near Gym (North sink) = undetected
Men's Restroom near Gym (South sink) = undetected
Women's Restroom near Gym (West sink) = undetected
Restroom next to Room F103 (East sink) = 8 ppb
Restroom next to Room F103 (West sink) = 8 ppb
Restroom next to Room F102 (East sink) = 14 ppb
Restroom next to Room F102 (West sink) = 37 ppb
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The district will follow ERG's recommendations to clean faucet aerators and run water for 10 minutes each school day to flush the pipes.
Out of an abundance of caution, staff is asked to direct students to drink water only from filtered bottle filling stations throughout the building until further testing is completed. Signs will be posted showing where students should fill their water bottles, and where they should not drink out of faucets.
At Chippewa, water fountains without filters have been turned off since students returned to school after Covid in March 2021.
Chippewa Action Plan: ERG will test additional spaces at Chippewa. The district is working to finalize the testing schedule (and will communicate once it's set) and hope this can occur prior to spring break.
2016 Testing
May 2016: Triterra conducted a strategic sampling of water at Chippewa Middle School. The test included five areas in the building. All areas came back undetected or below the Filter First action limit of 5 ppb.
5 AREAS TESTED
May 6, 2016
Service line = undetected
Kitchen sink = 1 ppb
Main gym steel fountain = undetected
Hallway near room B105 (steel fountain) = undetected
Hallway near room A106 = undetected
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