Chicago Park District Disables Hundreds Of Fountains After Lead Tests

By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 19, 2016 6:40PM

Getty Images / Photo: Mario Tama

Hundreds of outdoor fountains in Chicago parks have been shut off after they were found to contain lead levels that exceed EPA standards, the Chicago Park District announced.

The final results of a district-wide test, began last year, were published last Wednesday. They found that 43 percent of Chicago parks had at least one water source with higher-than-allowed lead levels (15 parts per billion). In all, Chicago Park District disabled 445 of 1891 outdoor fountains and 14 of 544 indoor fountains or sinks.

“These fountains will undergo further testing, and will be removed, repaired or replaced, as necessary,” the District said in a statement.

As WBEZ noted, a Grant Park fountain was found to have a whopping 1200 ppb level and two Avalon Park fountains registered 1200 and 1800 parts per billion.

The City of Chicago announced a pilot program in August to test the water of Chicago Public Schools. The tests were initiated “out of an abundance of caution” according to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in the wake of the Flint, Michigan lead contamination crisis. More than 150 water sources in CPS have been found to contain lead levels beyond the federal threshold The second phase of CPS testing is expected wrap up Nov. 3.

Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning. "Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems," according to the Mayo Clinic. "Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical development."

According to the Tribune, roughly 40,000 kids participated in summer camps in city parks.