Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 7 of our schools.

Results are for consumption points at: Gauger-Cobbs MS, Glasgow HS, Kirk MS, Marshall ES, Newark HS, Sarah Pyle Academy and Shue-Medill MS.

• The testing at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School found no elevated results, confirming that filtration and replacement of previously identified fixtures was successful.

• The testing found elevated results at 4 water fountains and 1 sink fixture in Glasgow High School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixture to advise that this fixture is to not be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the 4 water fountains and they are being replaced. The district will replace the sink fixture identified with elevated levels.

• The testing at Kirk Middle School found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.

• The testing found elevated results at 8 water bubblers in classroom sinks and 1 sink fixture in Marshall Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixture to advise that this fixture is to not be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the 8 water bubblers and they are being replaced. The district will replace the sink fixture identified with elevated levels.

• The testing at Newark High School found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.

• The testing at Sarah Pyle Academy (Newark Campus) found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.

• The testing found elevated results at 2 water fountains in Shue-Medill Middle School. The District has turned off the 2 water fountains and they are being replaced.

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 4 of our schools.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: The Bayard School at Sarah Pyle, Networks School for Employability Skills and Stubbs Early Education Center.

• The testing at The Bayard School at Sarah Pyle found no elevated results, confirming previous testing. 

• The testing found elevated results at 3 fixtures in the Christina Early Education Center. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The sink fixtures are being replaced. 

• The testing at Networks School for Employability Skills found no elevated results, confirming previous testing. 

• The testing at Stubbs Early Education Center found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families, are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 3 of our schools.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: The Bancroft School, Christiana Vikings Campus, and Delaware School for the Deaf

• The testing found elevated results at 2 hand washing sinks in The Bancroft School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The sink fixtures are being replaced. 

• The testing found elevated results at 1 hand washing sink at the Christiana Vikings Campus. A notice has been placed near the sink fixture to advise that this fixtures is not to be used for drinking.  The sink fixture is being replaced.

• The testing at Delaware School for the Deaf found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families, are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 4 of our schools.

Between the initial testing last year and the retesting last week, test results considered as ‘elevated levels’ were reduced from 15.0 ug/L to 7.5 ug/L. Initial tests performed in the fall returned test results for water sources at or above a 15 ug/L level - EPA’s action level for enforcement. The State reduced the reporting level for the most recent test results to at or above 7.5 ug/L during the retesting. This adjustment was out of an abundance of caution, not a result of increased lead presence or risk.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: Bayard School at Pulaski, Bayard at Sarah Pyle, West Park Place Elementary and Wilson Elementary

• The testing found slightly elevated results at 1 handwashing sink, in The Bayard School at Pulaski. A notice has been placed near the sink fixture to advise that this fixture is not to be used for drinking. The sink fixture is being replaced.
  
  
• The testing found slightly elevated results at 1 kitchen faucet, in The Bayard School at Sarah Pyle. A notice has been placed near the sink fixture to advise that this fixture is not to be used for drinking. The sink fixture is being replaced.
  
  
• The testing found slightly elevated results at 1 handwashing sink and 3 classroom water bubblers in West Park Place Elementary. A notice has been placed near the sink fixture to advise that this fixture is not to be used for drinking. The sink fixture is being replaced. The District has turned off the water bubblers.
  
  
• The testing found elevated results at 9 classroom water bubblers in Wilson Elementary. The District has turned off the water bubblers.

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families, are linked on our website at  christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 4 of our schools.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: The Douglass School, Maclary Elementary, McVey Elementary, and Oberle Elementary.

• The testing found elevated results at 2 handwashing sinks in the Douglass School.  A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The sink fixtures are being replaced. 
  
  

• The testing found slightly elevated results at 5 handwashing sinks and 6 water bubblers in classroom sinks in Maclary Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the water bubblers and the sink fixtures are being replaced.
  
  

• The testing found slightly elevated results at 2 water coolers, 2 handwashing sinks, and 15 water bubblers in classroom sinks in McVey Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the water coolers and water bubblers. The sink fixtures and water coolers are being replaced.
  
  

• The testing found elevated results at 2 water coolers, 2 sinks, and 7 water bubblers in classroom sinks in Oberle Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the water coolers and water bubblers. The sink fixtures and water coolers are being replaced.
  
  

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families, are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 3 of our schools.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: Brennen School, Keene Elementary and Smith Elementary

• The testing at the Brennen School found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.
  
  

• The testing found elevated results at 2 handwashing sinks and 4 water bubblers in classroom sinks in Smith Elementary. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are not to be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the water bubblers and the sink fixtures are being replaced. 
  
  

• The testing found slightly elevated results at 3 sinks and 6 water bubblers in classroom sinks in Keene Elementary.  A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that these fixtures are to not be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the water bubblers and the sink fixtures are being replaced. 

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families, are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 3 of our schools.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: Gallaher Elementary, Jones Elementary and Leasure Elementary.

• The testing found elevated results at 2 fixtures in Gallaher Elementary School. A notice has been placed near each fixture to advise that this fixture is to not be used for drinking.  The district will continue to pursue remediation efforts to address the issue, such as replacing the fixtures.
  
  

• The testing found elevated results at 13 water bubblers in classroom sinks, 1 hand washing sink, and 2 water fountains in Jones Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the sink fixtures to advise that this fixture is to not be used for drinking.  The District has turned off the 2 water fountains and they are being replaced. The district will replace the sink fixtures identified with elevated levels.
  
  

• The testing found elevated results at 1 fixture in Leasure Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the fixture to advise that this fixture is to not be used for drinking.  The district will continue to pursue remediation efforts to address the issue, such as replacing the fixture.
  
  

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

February 3, 2023 - Lead Water Testing Updates for Brader, Brookside, and Downes Elementary Schools

Delaware’s school drinking water testing program has returned new results for 3 of our schools.

Today’s results are for consumption points at: Downes Elementary, Brader Elementary and Brookside Elementary.

• The testing at Brader Elementary School found no elevated results, confirming previous testing.
  
  
• The testing found slightly elevated results at 5 of fixtures in Brookside Elementary School. These results are higher than previous testing showed. The fixtures have been turned off from public consumption. The district will pursue appropriate remediation efforts to address the issue, such as filtration or replacement of the fixture. After remediation efforts are completed, the fixtures identified with elevated results will be retested.
  
  
• The testing found slightly elevated results at 1 fixture in Downes Elementary School. A notice has been placed near the fixture to advise that this fixture is to not be used for drinking.  The district will continue to pursue remediation efforts to address the issue, such as replacing the fixture.

The detailed results, as well as additional resources for families are linked on our website at christinak12.org/lead-water-updates and de.gov/schoolwater under sampling.

DELAWARE CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE FIRM TO TEST SCHOOL DRINKING WATER

December 13, 2022

The Delaware Department of Education (DOE) has contracted with a private firm to test the drinking water at schools across the state.

The State of Delaware is actively working with federal and local partners to ensure all Delaware children and school staff have safe and clean drinking water.  With the support of a grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DOE, with support from the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) began a sampling initiative in Delaware schools in October 2020 to identify the levels of lead within the drinking water system.

The state identified some mistakes in its initial lead sampling, including testing buildings during COVID-19 closures and testing non-consumption sources, and the need to better communicate testing results.

Batta Environmental Associates, Inc., a Newark-based environmental consultant, will retest all fixtures that initially tested at 7.5 ppb or higher and all consumption points at schools statewide. 

“It is critically important that we conduct additional water sampling that provides timely and accurate data regarding the quality of water that our students, staff, and school communities consume.  This is also an important step to help restore confidence for the public.  We want our children, their families, and our educators and staff to be able to concentrate on learning, assured that their buildings and water are safe,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. 

Resampling and retesting will start next week and will take about three months to complete.  Results will be shared with the respective superintendents and charter leaders as they are received from the lab, and districts/charters will share results and any next steps with their respective communities.  Results and updates will also be posted on de.gov/schoolwater. 

Currently, all fixtures that tested at or above 7.5 ppb were either turned off or had signage that noted the water was not for consumption, as confirmed by school representatives and state survey teams.  The next steps on fixture usage and remediation will be determined based on the retesting results.  The signage will remain on those fixtures until schools receive additional information from the Department of Education or Division of Public Health.

Learn more about the state’s school water testing program at de.gov/schoolwater.

• Supporting Document: Drinking water sampling for lead in Delaware schools

Lead Water Testing Update

November 14, 2022

As a follow-up to my message on Thursday, November 10, we want to share with you information we received yesterday from the Delaware Department of Education and Delaware Division of Public Health. The attached letter from Secretary Mark Holodick (DOE) and Secretary Molly Magarik (DPH), will provide more background on the recent lead testing in Delaware schools. There is also an opportunity to hear more tonight at the Town Hall Meeting.  Don’t forget to register.

Town Hall Meeting Tonight: Nov 14

Join us tonight to learn more. Please visit the following link to register for the virtual town hall.

Learn more about the state's school drinking water lead testing program. If your questions are not answered tonight, you can also e-mail DDOE@doe.k12.de.us.

More Information About Sampling Results

You can find more information about the sampling results on the DPH website.

This information will be distributed this afternoon to families by hard copy, email, and social media.  Also, you may visit our website for more details, christinak12.org.  We want to make sure our school community is receiving the correct information.

We will continue to work closely with DOE and DPH to ensure the health and well-being of our students and staff.

Lead Water Testing Update

November 10, 2022

Our District has been notified by the Department of Education (DOE) that they received updated guidance from the EPA regarding the lead water testing results. This guidance added additional water sources to be reviewed based on a lower threshold.

While the EPA is confirming the process and the results for these additional sources, we are being advised to shut down additional fixtures. The following schools have fixtures that were identified yesterday: Glasgow High School (3 additional fixtures), Newark High School (1 additional fixture) and Wilson Elementary School (3 additional fixtures).

These newly identified fixtures were shut down today. They had previously been identified for further review by the Division of Public Health (DPH) and had additional testing done; however, there was no action required or recommended for these fixtures until yesterday. There were three fixtures identified at Wilson Elementary that tested above the initial threshold and were shut down earlier this year as recommended. These fixtures have been replaced with the recommended filtration and were installed per the guidelines of DPH.

Our Facilities Department will continue to work closely with EPA officials and follow the guidance of the DPH and DOE on this issue. We will keep you informed of any updates. State officials are also working on communication related to this new guidance that is impacting schools statewide. However, we want to make you aware of this important development as soon as possible.

The Christina School District is committed to protecting the health of students and staff and will take immediate action to resolve your concerns.

Sincerely,

Dan Shelton, Ed,D.
Superintendent