Willow Springs R-IV Schools publishes lead testing results

The Willow Springs School District published the results of state-mandated lead testing in the facilities’ water supply. The initial report from third party agency, Get the Lead Out, LLC states that the district did, “very well” compared to other school districts.

“Most districts have been averaging about 30% failure rate (outlets above 5ppb). Willow Springs is at 17%,” reads the report.

Testing took place in August. 308 test points around the campus were sampled. 150 (48.7%) of water faucets tested had lead detected, but only 53 (17.2%) had samples above the “action level” of 5 parts per billion.

The school district has until the end of the calendar year to enact a remediation plan. The third party recommended placing signage on the affected water outlets indicating that the water is non-potable, not for drinking, or washing dishes. This signage can be temporary since testing is still in progress to localize the source of lead contaminants.

With the exception of the scullery hand sprayer in the middle school, all other actionable sample results are from hand sinks, showers, and outside spigots. According to the recommendation, “All should have signage placed to indicate it is “non potable” or “do not use” until testing and remediation is complete.”

The school board did not have these results or the remediation plan on the agenda for their November meeting. 

According to Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence, the district is currently in the retesting phase.

“Once we get our results back from that, we will publish our remediation efforts,” Dr. Spence said. 

The initial testing results were published to parents on October 24.