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Pennridge completes districtwide lead testing; two fixtures retested and cleared after replacement
Summary
Facilities staff told the board on April 14 that annual lead testing of drinking-water fixtures across Pennridge is complete, with two fixtures initially testing over the EPA action level; both fixtures were replaced and follow-up tests came back below the action level.
Pennridge School District facilities staff reported to the April 14 meeting that the district completed its cycle of drinking-water lead testing across school sites and that two fixtures previously above the EPA action level were replaced and retested, with the replacements returning below the action level.
What happened: Facilities staff said their multi‑year testing program covered remaining fixtures that had not previously been tested. Of the sites tested during the most recent cycle, two fixtures initially exceeded the 15 parts-per-billion EPA action level. Facilities staff replaced those fixtures and ordered follow-up laboratory testing; the retests were reported as “clear,” officials said.
Why it matters: The district said replacement of older fixtures was the most common corrective action. Staff explained that positive results often stem from fixture components rather than the community water source; replacing the fixture generally returns sample results below the action level. Facilities staff said the district plans to continue testing on a periodic basis and recommended increasing the number of fixtures tested per year to shorten the overall cycle for full coverage.
Testing cadence and costs: Administrators cited EPA guidance — a five‑year testing cadence is common — and said the district had accelerated testing at times to address older fixtures. Facilities staff said the district sends samples to a New Jersey laboratory with an approximate two‑week turnaround and that they will provide itemized pricing on additional testing if the board requests a higher annual testing rate.
Quotes and attributions: “Out of all the sites that we tested this year, only two came back as testing positive,” said a facilities staff member. “We replaced the fixtures and retested them, and they came back clear.” The presentation noted that replacements for bubbler fixtures and other endpoint components were typical corrective steps.
Next steps: Facilities staff said they will continue routine testing, plan to test more fixtures per year to shorten the rotation, and will provide the board with exact pricing for additional annual testing if requested. They also noted that the district keeps records and would return affected fixtures to service only after successful retest results.
Ending: The committee heard that the district has completed the current testing cycle and will continue a program of periodic retesting and replacement as needed; staff said they would share lab pricing and a recommended testing cadence for board consideration.
