Natick School District finds elevated levels of lead in water

NATICK, Mass. — UPDATE - May 9: The school district conducted water system flushing at all of the schools impacted and it generally brought water back to safe levels. In some schools new fountains and filters were installed.

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ORIGINAL POST - May 4: Parents want to know more information after the Natick School District sent an email saying it found higher levels of lead in its water supply.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the school district sent an email to parents about elevated levels of lead in the water.

“Overall the findings show there were readings above allowable levels of lead and/or copper detected at certain schools. Universal Environmental Consultants provided us with safety protocols that were put in place immediately. At this time our water has been deemed safe to drink,” said part of the email, from Superintendent Dr. Peter Sanchioni.

The email did not say how much lead was in the water or when the test was conducted, but it did say recently.

When a mother of a fourth grad student at Johnson Elementary opened up the email Tuesday, she said she was stunned by how vague the message was.

“What exactly were the lead levels? It says 'above', but it could be one point above or a hundred,” said Samantha Beard.

The district said it has identified dozens of sinks and fountains with lead or copper at Natick High School, Johnson Elementary, Memorial Elementary and others. FOX25 obtained this table below from the email.

FOX25 Investigates tried several times to speak with the Natick superintendent, but he said he couldn’t give an interview. The only information we were given were emails that went out to parents Tuesday and Wednesday.

A principal at Johnson told FOX25 that one of their bubblers was replaced last week, several days before the email went out to parents.

"Schools are old. I get that. I just wish the information was better,” said Beard.

Natick High School is not old, however. It was built four years ago and that is especially concerning for some parents.

“(My son) doesn't drink the water a lot. He brings his own. So I think a lot of the kids bring their own, but if it's available and they're drinking it, they should be concerned,” said Jean Manoli, whose son is a freshman at Natick High.

"I'd be definitely more concerned if I had little ones,” said Aimee Mury, mother of freshman.

After we started asking questions, the superintendent sent out another email to parents Wednesday afternoon.  One of the remedies he says is to flush the water in these schools for two to five minutes.

There's a public hearing planned so that parents can attend and ask questions, but it's not for another week; it’s scheduled for next Wednesday night at Wilson Middle School.

Cox Media Group