HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2016.05.18 - 22381MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION 16140
BY: Commissioner David Woodward, District #19 and Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, District #13
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DRINKING WATER SUPPLY TESTING PROGRAM FOR
OAKLAND COUNTY SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND CREATION OF THE OAKLAND
COUNTY KIDS' SAFE DRINKING WATER FUND
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS safe, clean, and uncontaminated drinking water is necessary to maintain the health, safety
and educational well-being of Oakland County's children; and
WHEREAS according to a 2015 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead is a
potent neurotoxin, and childhood lead poisoning has an impact on many developmental and biological
processes, most notably intelligence, behavior, and overall life achievement; and
WHEREAS when considering the irreversible, life-altering, costly, and disparate impact of lead exposure,
primary prevention is necessary to eliminate exposure as reported by the Advisory Committee on
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
WHEREAS according to a WXYZ-TV news report, test results conducted by the Arch Environmental
Group in April 2016, indicated elevated levels of lead were found in five school buildings located in the
Farmington School District: Beechview Elementary (two drinking fountains), Harrison High School
(kitchen sink), North Farmington High School (faucet in science room) Warner Upper Elementary
(drinking fountain in gym) and Visions Unlimited (hallway water fountain); and
WHEREAS elevated levels of copper were recently found at one school facility in the Rochester
Community School District; and
WHEREAS there are no current statutory requirement in the State of Michigan requiring schools or early
childhood educational facilities — such as day cares, preschools and early childhood learning facilities
(Head Start) - to test their water or fixtures regularly for lead, copper or other harmful elements; and
WHEREAS a partnership between the Detroit Public Health Department and the Children's Hospital of
Michigan Foundation provides a model for prompt and affordable testing of the drinking water supply at
schools and child care facilities for elements that may harm children; and
WHEREAS as a result of this program, the Detroit News stated that 19 of the 62 schools tested under the
program reported elevated levels of lead or copper in the water; and
WHEREAS the Detroit Public Schools water testing program provides a model to move forward, without
delay, to ensure that all Oakland County schools and child care facilities are offered the opportunity to
test their drinking water and provide parents assurance of safe, clean water for their children prior to the
commencement of the next school year; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of the Detroit program, educational facilities are responsible for the
collection of water samples and payment of the analysis through an authorized third party laboratory, and
the City provides reimbursement for the lab testing at an amount not to exceed $225 per building; and
WHEREAS the Detroit program requires participating facilities to conduct tests in accordance with the
requirements of the most recent Environmental Protection Agency protocol, submit drinking water
samples to an EPA certified lab and to submit results to the Detroit Health Department within 60 days to
qualify for reimbursement; and
WHEREAS a program to test drinking water at schools, early childhood learning and child care facilities
would be a wise investment of county resources in the protection of the health, safety and welfare of
children.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the creation of a the
Oakland County Kids' Safe Drinking Water Fund for the purpose of encouraging all Oakland County
schools, early childhood learning and child care facilities to test their drinking water for lead, copper and
other harmful elements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners assigns $500,000 in fund balance for the
Oakland County Kids' Safe Drinking Water Fund to be used for the drinking water testing program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Health Division is directed to establish the
guidelines and procedures necessary for the implementation of the drinking water testing program within
30 days of the adoption of this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requires the results of
any drinking water tests reimbursed by this fund be posted on the county's website.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
Commissioner Marcia Gefsfienson
District #13 District #19
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Resolution *16140 May 18, 2016
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Finance Committee. There were no objections.