Independent testing concluded Wednesday that Evanston Township High School meets federal standards regarding water lead levels and water quality, according to an email superintendent Eric Witherspoon sent to school staff, students and families that day.

In addition to annual testing done by the city, Gabriel Environmental Services analyzed four samples of drinking water taken in intervals between 9 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. on April 8, according to an ETHS water analysis document. Based off these tests, the environmental consultant found the district to be in compliance with laws and regulations.  

“Due to nationwide concerns about drinking water quality in schools, we are providing information to our families as reassurance about our water safety at ETHS,” Witherspoon said in the email.

These nationwide concerns were fueled by testing done by Hurley Medical Center, which revealed last September that the proportion of infants and children with above-average blood lead levels almost doubled after the city of Flint, Michigan, switched water sources in 2014.

In Illinois, there have been 19 cases in the past three years in which the lead levels exceeded federal standards among community water supplies. State officials have decided to improve how lead levels are currently tested and monitored in order to avoid future violations.

Evanston specifically has not had issues with water quality or lead levels since 1992 and only has to sample the water for lead every three years as a result, the city’s water production bureau chief Darrell King told The Daily last month.

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