BARTOW, Fla. — Polk County school administrators expect to learn this week whether high levels of lead are in the water supply of one of its oldest schools.
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A water sample taken from a classroom sink inside Winston Academy of Engineering in Lakeland showed elevated lead levels of 20 parts per billion. While that's considered safe by federal guidelines, the district has a higher standard of 15 parts per billion.
The sink was shut down for repairs and was not in use prior to the sample being taken.
"Our plumber inadvertently left the faucet off, so the water lay dormant until the consultant showed up to get the sample," said Roy Luce, manager of maintenance with Polk County Schools. "He noticed in his report that there was a reddish brown color to the water."
The district began widespread lead level testing in August. This is the first comprehensive testing in the district since the early 1990s when lead pipe-related issues were corrected, administrators said.
Lead pipes in buildings were banned in 1986.
Four other test results came back clear for high lead levels. Testing on all 150 schools is expected to be completed by January.