2nd school in Healdsburg shuts off water over fears of lead contamination

HEALDSBURG, Calif. (KGO) -- For the second time, lead has been detected in the water at a Healdsburg school.

The district superintendent notified parents that the drinking fountains had been shut off at Healdsburg Junior High School. Drinking fountains are dry at the school and food preparation has been moved off site.

"That there was possibly a problem with lead levels in the drinking water." said Chris Vanden Heuvel the district superintendent.

The district ordered the testing after a scare with the water at the elementary school, because some of the buildings at the junior high are the oldest in the district dating back to 1927.

"Any building that happened before the 1990s is a candidate for deterioration in their plumbing system given the construction materials they used," Vanden Heuvel said.

While the water is being tested, bottled water is available for students at every drinking fountain. They can also fill up their water bottles at hydration stations, which are on the newer part of campus where water safety is not in question.

The Sonoma County Health Department will continue testing the water Friday. Results should be in next week.

"I want to stress that we are taking every precaution to make sure our students are safe," Vanden Heuvel said.

Drinking fountains were disabled at the elementary school last week after tests showed high levels of lead. A second round of testing revealed the water was actually safe. The district is sticking with bottled water on the campus and will replace the pipes over the summer.