Environmental Resources
Okemos Public Schools
Last updated: April 11, 2024
The following timeline shows when water was tested at OPM and when the district received test results:
2024 Testing
January 2024: After weeks of flushing the water, another round of follow up lead water testing was conducted in late January. Environmental Resources Group strategically selected and sampled seven classrooms - all sinks with drinking water.
​All but one of the rooms tested undetectable for lead, with Room 131 results being 1 ppb, which is below the Filter First action limit of 5 ppb.
7 AREAS TESTED
January 27, 2024
Room 104 - Kara Thurber (Catalpa) = undetected
Room 107 - Beth Lieber (Mulberry) = undetected
Room 116 - Jennifer Schlicher (Apple Blossom) = undetected
Room 119 - Holly Heie (Red Cedar) = undetected
Room 121 - Kelly Bertilrud (Paw Paw) = undetected
Room 131 - Marcia Morehead (Oak) = 1 ppb
Room 135 - Haley Blake = undetected
All bottle fillers = undetected
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After this round of testing, ERG believes the results show that the daily flushing is working to coat the pipes as intended and recommends to continue daily flushing.
ERG is also working with the Ingham County Health Department to set the frequency and scope for future lead water testing at OPM.
2023 Testing
December 2023: The next round of water testing was further expanded to include water in all of the rooms that had not yet been tested and the rooms that previously tested positive for lead. The Environmental Resource Group (ERG) conducted this and subsequent rounds of environmental testing at OPM.
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Most of the rooms tested positive for lead water, with half being above the OPS action limit of 5 ppb. The rest tested undetectable or below 5 ppb. The district continued to follow the guidelines posted above from EGLE and recommendations from the Ingham County Health Department.
9 AREAS TESTED
December 4, 2023
Room 116 - Jennifer Schlicher (Apple Blossom) = 14 ppb ↑
Room 117 - Rachel Krier = 10 ppb
Room 118 - Erin Gould (Sycamore) = 4 ppb
Room 119 - Holly Heie (Red Cedar) = 6 ppb ↑
Room 120 - Mary Wier (Tulip Tree) = undetected
Room 124B - Rebecca Wieger = 3 ppb
Room 124D - Jamie DeLong = 3 ppb
Library - Sally Langley = 6 ppb (no drinking water)
Room 131 - Marcia Morehead (Oak) = 5 ppb
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1 AREA TESTED
December 5, 2023
Room 121 - Kelly Bertilrud (Paw Paw) = 49 ppb ↑
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Follow up testing scheduled for January 2024.
The Ingham County Health Department recommended the following on December 6, 2023.
All were implemented beginning December 6-7, 2023.
- Continue to work with the Environmental Resources Group (or another company) to develop a comprehensive flushing and testing plan that is consistent with the guidance shared by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
- Flush every fixture within the Central Montessori School each day for 10 minutes in the morning.
- Sample and test water one month after beginning daily flushing regime.
- Collaborate with ICHD in reviewing the developed flushing and testing plan; ICHD remains available to provide further support and guidance as necessary.
- Ensure further posting of signage that directs staff and students to use bottle-filling stations for drinking water.
- Ensure OPS policies and procedures encourage and do not hinder the use of bottle-filling stations by students and staff.
- Maintain current drinking water restrictions on using any fixture other than filtered water stations.
- Educate staff on the guidance and procedures for drinking water within the Central Montessori School.
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December 7, 2023: Nurses called families
of Room 121 again to check in.
November 2023: The district widened their water testing efforts less than a week after receiving the ELMWSA results, retesting drinking water in classrooms 102 and 103, plus 13 additional areas at OPM.
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The rooms that tested positive for lead water in the last round were now undetected for lead. However, three other rooms showed elevated levels of lead, including one classroom at 38 ppb (121) and another at 7 ppb (116).
15 AREAS TESTED
November 22, 2023
Room 102 - Susie Black (Paper Birch) = retested, undetected ↓
Room 103 - Adrianne Watkins (Willow) = retested, undetected ↓
Room 104 - Kara Thurber (Catalpa) = undetected
Room 105 - Theresa Weber (Honeysuckle) = undetected
Room 106 - Lorie Latsko (Flowering Dogwood) = undetected
Room 107 - Beth Lieber (Mulberry) = undetected
Room 116 - Jennifer Schlicher (Apple Blossom) = 7 ppb
Room 118 - Erin Gould (Sycamore) = undetected
Room 121 - Kelly Bertilrud (Paw Paw) = 38 ppb
Room 124B - Rebecca Wieger = 3 ppb
Room 135 - Haley Blake = undetected
Child Care = undetected
3 Hallway bottle fillers = undetected
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Follow up testing scheduled for December 2023.
The ERG recommended the following actions that the district followed and implemented beginning November 27-29, 2023:
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- Re-cleaning or replacement of faucet aerators (replaced on November 29, 2023)
- Flushing of the system
-Schedule follow-up testing with all rooms that tested above 5 ppb and any room water has not yet been tested.
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In addition to those actions, the district has implemented the following EGLE recommendations until retesting is completed:
- Shut off problem fixtures
- Share the test results
- Post “not for drinking” signs at the problem fixtures
- Continue to provide filtered water throughout the building at bottle-filling stations
- Refillable water bottles available upon request
November 30: Nurses called families of room 121 to check in and offer information and guidance on lead testing for students.
Ingham County Health Department waived the fee for lead testing for children over the age of 6.
October 2023: In response to discolored water in two classrooms, the district asked the East Lansing Meridian Water and Sewer Authority (ELMWSA) to test the drinking water for contaminants. Four locations – two classrooms, the staff lounge, and a bottle filler – were tested in a two-part test.
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Results showed lead in the water in both classrooms (102 and 103), one above the 5 ppb limit.
4 AREAS TESTED
Room 102 - Susie Black (Paper Birch) = 3 ppb
Room 103 - Adrianne Watkins (Willow) = 9 ppb
Teachers lounge = undetected
Water fountain = undetected
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Follow up testing scheduled for November 2023.
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy recommended the following actions.
The district implemented all on November 18, 2023.
- Cleaning of all faucet aerators
- Flushing of the system
- Schedule follow-up testing
In addition to those actions, the district implemented the following EGLE recommendations until retesting was complete:
- Shut off problem fixture
- Share the test results
- Post “not for drinking” signs at problem fixture
- Continue to provide filtered water throughout the building at bottle-filling stations
- Refillable water bottles available upon request
ELMWSA suggested it may be the lead solder that was used to join copper plumbing pipes.
Not for Drinking sign
Fill Your Bottle Here sign.
Not for Drinking sign
2016 Testing
May 2016: Triterra conducted a strategic sampling of water at OPM. The test included six areas in the building. All areas came back undetected.
6 AREAS TESTED
May 4, 2016
Hallway near 102 (fountain) = undetected
Room 105 = undetected
Room 119 = undetected
Boiler room service line = undetected
Kitchen sink = undetected
Hallway near child care (fountain) = undetected
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