Testing Shows SPS Buildings Have Elevated Lead Levels in Drinking Water

Officials with Springfield Public Schools will soon be addressing the districts drinking water after higher-than-normal lead levels were found in many of the schools facilities.

Lead testing of 27 buildings should levels above the state standard of 5pbp (parts per billion), and 21 of them were above the EPA level of 15pbp.

The initiative is part of the “Get Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act” which was passed in 2022.

Health officials have discovered that elevated lead levels and exposure in children can have many adverse effects, including behavioral problems and stunted neurological development.

The official testing data and which buildings tested at different levels were posted to the district’s website.

Plans to address the problem and lower lead levels in the drinking water are already in place and will begin to be put in place soon.