He ordered the routine examination in 24 schools with 16 schools reportedly having the elements above accepted level.
Over 30 schools are believed are now using water coolers and bottles, rest of 106 schools will be shut off subsequently.
He stressed that water is still available for hand washing and toilet flushing.
"Although we have no evidence that there are elevated levels of copper or lead in our other schools (over 50) where we are awaiting test results, out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our students and employees, I am turning off all drinking water in our schools until a deeper and broader analysis can be conducted to determine the long-term solutions for all schools"Detroit plans to work with charter schools on water testing, which it can encourage but not mandate, city spokesman John Roach SAID:
"We will be supporting (Vitti) in an advisory capacity through the health department, and the (Detroit Water and Sewerage Department) has offered to partner with the district on any follow-up testing that needs to be done. We are fully supportive of the approach (Vitti) has taken to test all water sources within DPS schools and to provide bottled water until the district can implement a plan to ensure that all water is safe for use.The city's water department released a statement that the water they are providing is safe.
"The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) want to assure Detroit residents and customers of GLWA's regional system that they are not affected by the lead and copper issues that the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is experiencing. Aging school infrastructure (i.e. plumbing) is the reason for the precautionary measure of providing bottled water. The treated drinking water provided by GLWA and distributed by DWSD not only meets, but surpasses all federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act regulations for quality and safety. The water at GLWA's treatment plants is tested hourly and DWSD has no lead service lines connected to any DPSCD building."Schools with higher than normal levels of these elements are listed below:
Academy of the Americas Elementary-Middle School
Adult Education-East
Bates Academy
Bennett Elementary-Middle School
Cass Technical High School
Roberto Clemente Elementary
Clippert Elementary Middle School
Coleman Young Elementary School
Davis Aerospace @ Golightly
Dixon Academy
Foreign Language Immersion
Hutchinson @ Howe
Keidan
Noble Elementary-Middle School
Marcus Garvey
Renaissance High School
Lead is a neurotoxic, it can damage child brain development, cause behavioral problems also in adults.
Copper can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, and exposure can damage the liver or kidneys.
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