OKEMOS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Students and staff attending Okemos Schools in Ingham County need to use filtered water stations only as the district evaluates several higher than appropriate lead levels in the water supply, according to the district. 

The district has informed parents.

A letter sent to parents from the district, according to WLNS, indicates that there were elevated lead levels found in the water from the Chippewa Middle School, following an earlier detection at the Montessori School. 

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In the letter, John J. Hood, Superintendent of Okemos Public Schools, shared that the district remains dedicated to “the health and safety of our students and staff.” 

“After concerns about discolored water at Okemos Public Montessori in October and similar concerns at Chippewa Middle School recently, the district had water in those buildings tested for contaminants,” he said in the letter. 

While the lead testing has only shown two schools to have water that is affected, the district is asking “out of an abundance of caution” to adhere to the filtered bottle filling stations only until the entire district is tested. 

“These bottle filters filter out lead and other contaminants,” the letter said. “Signs will be posted showing where students should fill their water bottles, and where they should not drink out of faucets.” 

The district’s environmental testing group intends to test water in all district buildings beginning with the oldest buildings and youngest students according to the letter. 

Working with Michigan’s Clean Water Drinking Act.

Okemos Superintendent Hood also declared that Okemos is working to implement Michigan’s Clean Water Drinking Act, also known as “Filter First Legislation,” ahead of the state’s 2025-26 deadline. 

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the legislation in October 2023 which would require “all schools and child care centers in Michigan must develop a Drinking Water Management Plan (DWMP), install lead reducing filters on all consumptive fixtures, and test filtered water,” according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). 

“Every parent wants to make sure their kids are healthy, and today’s bills ensure that our kids have safe and clean drinking water when they sip from the drinking fountain,” said Governor Whitmer in a statement. “In Michigan, we have seen the devastating and long-lasting impact of lead exposure, and we are committed to making sure no child has to suffer through this again. That’s why we’ve enforced the strongest lead and copper rule in the country, invested billions of dollars into water facilities, and helped communities replace lead service lines and rebuild their water infrastructure.” 

According to EGLE, it recommends that schools and child care centers wait for further guidance that will be released near the end of April, but suggests facilities begin planning and developing a plumbing inventory. 

For a general timeline of training sessions from the agency, see here, with the first training seminar taking place on April 10, 2024. 

Health concerns and next steps.

In the letter to Okemos families, Hood outlines some places parents can reach out to for more information or even get their student tested. 

“If you would like for your student to be tested for lead exposure, you can contact our partners at the Ingham County Health Department or your pediatrician’s office,” the letter said. “The blood test is accurate only 28 days after exposure to lead, according to the ICHD.” 

Additional questions could be directed to the ICHD Lead Testing Team at (517)-887-4479. 

The letter also included a resource parents can use to see public testing results from the subsequent lead testing here.