Dr. John Ramos, Superintendent of the South Orange-Maplewood School District, reported that water fountains and water sources in nurses’ offices and in food preparation areas in the school district’s buildings are currently being tested and results will be available in “a few weeks.”
Speaking at the March 21 Board of Eduction meeting, Ramos noted that the testing, which supplements the district’s periodic water testing, is being undertaken in light of recent news from Newark schools. (Elevated levels of lead caused officials in the Newark Public Schools district to shut off water fountains at 30 school buildings this month until more testing can be conducted. The Newark district tests water annually.)
Ramos said that the current water testing will cost the district $12,000.
Ramos did not specify when the district had last tested water. Ramos’ comments echoed and expanded upon comments made by a district spokeswoman on March 11.
Read about South Orange’s municipal water safety issues here.
