CPS holds hearings about lead confirmed so far in 27 schools

As Chicago Public Schools prepared for its first of seven public meetings about lead in school drinking water Monday night, the district announced lead problems in one more elementary school on the West Side.

The addition of Spencer Elementary Technology Academy brings the total to 27 schools with high lead levels in drinking water of 93 schools whose test results have been made public.

CPS said that lead above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action level of 15 parts per billion was found in three drinking fountains, a kitchen sink and another sink, adding that all of them tested below the action level after the first sample was taken.

All affected fixtures have been turned off while CPS figures out how to fix the problems.

CPS began testing in April, saying it had no specific reason other than caution in the wake of the water scandal in Flint, Michigan.

It has prioritized 324 elementary schools that have cooking kitchens, were built before 1986 and contain pre-kindergarten programs. Exposure to lead has been linked to cognitive problems in very young children.

District officials along with representatives from the departments of water management and health were set to take questions at 6 p.m. Monday evening at Mather High School.

Six more meetings will be held at high schools across the city.

• June 21: Michele Clark High School, 5101 W. Harrison St. at 4 p.m.
• June 21: Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, 1034 N. Wells St. at 6 p.m.
• June 22: Back of the Yards, 2111 W. 47th St. at 6 p.m.
• June 23: Hyde Park Academy High School, 6220 Stony Island Ave at 4 p.m.
• June 23: Corliss High School, 821 E. 103rd St. at 6 p.m.
• June 24: Simeon High School, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave. at 4 p.m.