Amanda Whalen

Chief of Staff

Portland Public Schools

Subject: Creston water quality

Dear Creston Families and Staff,

Earlier this spring, PPS tested the lead levels in the drinking water at our school, a routine practice in our schools. The water sources were tested twice on March 22 and April 22.

A total of 56 fixtures – drinking fountains, classroom sinks used for drinking water, and sinks in the nurse’s office and the kitchen area – were tested. Six of the 56 exceeded the federal Environmental Protection Agency maximum for acceptable lead levels. The maximum contaminate level for lead is 15 parts per billion (ppb).

The district immediately began replacing water fountains and sink fixtures that did not meet the EPA standard. Follow up testing will be completed by the end of this week. Results of that testing will be sent to families and staff via email and should be available by the week of June 6.

We appreciate the concern of our community and will continue to work with the PPS Facilities Department to monitor our water quality.

More information regarding drinking water and other sources of lead, is available from the following agencies:

Portland Water Bureau

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/550359

Phone: 503-823-7404

Multnomah County Health

https://multco.us/health/lead-poisoning-prevent

Thank you for your attention.

Conrad Hurdle

Principal

Creston K-8 School

Andy Fridley

Senior Manager, Health & Safety

Facilities & Asset Management

Portland Public Schools