The only school in one of Alaska’s most eroded communities is among 28 public and private entities in the state whose water systems recently exceeded federal lead limits during the last three years.
An Associated Press analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data shows the state-owned school in the Yup’ik Eskimo village of Newtok was significantly over the federal lead limit of 15 parts per billion in 2013. Testing at the school, whose water system serves a 175-person population, showed lead levels of more than 161 parts per billion.
Cindy Christian with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation says the results were skewed by one sample taken from the kitchen sink.
Subsequent water samples show the school has since registered below the limit.
AP’s analysis found nearly 1,400 water systems across the country had samples exceeding the limit between Jan. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2015.
