Okemos Public Schools

After discolored water was discovered in a single bathroom during plumbing upgrades, Okemos Public Schools reached out to ERG’s Lansing Industrial Hygiene team on a Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, ERG had met with the school superintendent to discuss the issue and provide guidance consistent with existing regulations. Since the building was built in the 1950s, the primary concern was lead.

 SERVICES PROVIDED

Prompt planning and counsel

Water testing/lead testing

Collaboration with local government and accredited laboratories

Knowledge and expertise of local legislation and guidelines

Emergency services

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

ERG created a sampling plan and was at the school early the following day to collect first draw drinking water samples. The samples were collected at the sink with the discolored water and throughout the rest of the school on a random basis. Collected samples were then delivered to a State of Michigan-certified drinking water laboratory for rush analysis.

Within 24 hours, ERG was able to provide the necessary data to collaborate with the local health department. Based on their guidelines, ERG recommended the discontinued use of the classroom faucets for drinking water, to flush the school’s water supply system and to conduct follow-up testing.

The school had previously installed filtered water bottle fill stations in hallways. Based on ERG’s recommendations, the school had additional filtered fill stations installed. All of these stations were equipped with filters capable of filtering lead and other contaminants.