Elevated levels of lead found in Bonneville High School drinking water

Bonneville School District #93 officials found elevated levels of lead in the drinking water at Bonneville High School during a test conducted on July 3, 2018.

Officials report one of the draws exceeded the acceptable level for lead particulates.

The sample in question was taken from a sink in the Food Science Lab.

The lead level that requires public education and additional requirements is 15 parts per billion or 0.015 mg/L. The level of lead tested at BHS’s water system is 0.035 mg/L.

The sink had not been used for some time, so officials said the high level of lead could be a simple function of the water sitting in place for an extended period of time.

Even though several tests also yielded acceptable results, officials are taking appropriate steps to ensure public safety and to remedy any problems prior to the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

District officials immediately notified the Department of Environmental Quality and are following the protocols suggested by the DEQ which includes additional tests.

As officials await the results of these tests, access to drinking water at Bonneville High School has been cut off.

Bottled water is available in the building for staff members and summer school students.

Students participating in clinics or camps are being asked to bring their own water to these events.

The district is cooperating with the DEQ to conduct further tests and to determine how to remedy the problem.

All previous samples collected at BHS have yielded acceptable results.

Officials said they do not have reason to believe that there is a problem with the well or the other taps and fountains located throughout the building.