Abstract: In 2017-2018, Indiana conducted voluntary statewide drinking water sampling in public schools to screen for lead contamination. In total, all drinking water fixtures in 915 K-12 schools (out of 1709 eligible schools) were sampled using standardized protocols designed to test both fixtures and school plumbing infrastructure, totaling 58,000 water samples. 62% of schools had at least one fixture that exceeded a Pb concentration of 15 ppb, whereas 7% of schools had more than 10 fixtures with Pb concentrations > 15 ppb. I will share the approach that I have been taking to understand both the infrastructure and fixture variables in play, but also the source-water and water-treatment (corrosion control) characteristics that could influence the mobility of metals. Preliminary results from the sampling program will be shared, and future directions of this ongoing research will be outlined.
Geography's Colloquium - Assessing the scope of lead contamination in public school drinking water in Indiana by Dr. Sally Letsinger
Friday, February 7, 2020
3:35 P.M. – 4:35 P.M.
Location: Student Building 005
The College of Arts