Dear Holliman Families,
Please see the letter below regarding the lead test results for Holliman.
Notice
Lead Test Results for School Drinking Water
Dear Parents and Community Members,
As you may know, Holliman School participated in a program to test the drinking water for lead. We are sharing the results with you now. The program is a collaboration between the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Rhode Island Department of Education, and the University of Rhode Island (URI) Cooperative Extension Water Program to test the drinking water in Rhode Island’s schools for lead.
Our school voluntarily submitted to lead testing. All water samples were tested by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratory. The test results will help us to keep our children as safe as possible.
We are working with RIDOH to follow the recommended guidance based on our school’s water samples and take action to lower the lead level. All water sample results will be posted on RIDOH’s website health.ri.gov/data/schools/water/2023 soon, and RIDOH will report all test results to the General Assembly.
What do the test results mean?
Lead is measured in water in parts per billion (ppb). The school will compare the sample results to an action level to decide what level of response is needed. The current EPA action level is 15 ppb, and EPA has proposed lowering the action level to 10 ppb. The proposal is expected to be finalized in October 2024. See below for how our school is responding to sample results:
Any sample result that is higher than 10 ppb is above the proposed action level. We are taking action to lower the lead level.
Any sample result between 1 and 10 ppb is below the proposed action level. There are still things we can do to help lower lead in the drinking water.
Any sample result that is less than 1 ppb is below the detection level for lead. The detection level is the lowest level of lead that can be reliably measured in water.
What were the test results?
Here are the results of the water samples from Holliman School
Faucet or drinking fountain location
Lead test result (ppb)
Kitchen Sink-Off All Purpose RM
<1
Kitchen Sink-Off All Purpose RM
<1
Bottle Filler-Main Entrance Across from Door D14
<1
Bottle Filler-Main Entrance Across from Door D14
<1
Bottle Filler-Across from Media Center
<1
Bottle Filler-Across from Media Center
<1
Kindergarten Sink-RM 19
<1
Kindergarten Sink-RM 19
<1
Kindergarten Sink-RM 18
<1
Kindergarten Sink-RM 18
<1
Special Ed Sink-Across from Music RM 1
<1
Special Ed Sink-Across from Music RM 1
<1
What is Holliman School doing about the test results?
Why is testing for lead important?
Lead is not naturally found in water. Most lead in water comes from metal wearing away in old pipes, lead-based solder, or brass fittings on faucets or water fountains.
Lead in drinking water can cause lead poisoning and long-term health problems. The effects are most serious for babies and young children up to age six.
Drinking water is rarely the primary cause of lead exposure, but we want to keep our children as safe as possible.
If you want more information about lead in drinking water, please visit these websites:
If you want more information about these tests, please contact the school.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cabana
Please know that our doors are always open, and we welcome your feedback, ideas, and involvement in our school community. Don't hesitate to reach out to our staff or myself if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas you'd like to share. My direct line, which receives phone calls and text messages is 401-871-4145.
