High lead levels reported in 7 East Lansing, Mich., school buildings

Testing has determined that 31 faucets in seven buildings in the East Lansing (Mich.) school district are producing water with elevated levels of lead.

East Lansing School Superintendent Robyne Thompson sent a letter to parents on Tuesday disclosing the results of the water testing.

"As directed by the district administration, the maintenance staff has turned off the water supply to the 31 devices," Thompson wrote.

The affected campuses are four elementary schools—Donley (three faucets), Glencairn (four faucets), Marble (one faucet), Pinecrest (six faucets) and White Hills )(one faucet); MacDonald Middle (12 faucets) and East Lansing High (four faucets). 

"The results of the testing show 31 devices are at or above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppm) or 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L)." Thompson wrote.

Awareness of lead levels in water is especially high in mid-Michigan since it was revealed that the water supply for the city of Flint is contaminated with dangerous levels of lead.

The locations of the faucets range from a girls' bathroom sink to an unused wood shop room. Most of the faucet, Thompson says, are in areas not typically used by students.

"The majority of those 31 devices are in areas that are restricted from student access, such as mechanical/custodial rooms or are in rooms that the device is not being used by students," the letter states.

District officials will confer with the Ingham County Health Department to determine the best way to resolve the lead problem.